Analysing the learning curve of prostate enucleation with the Holmium laser: A retrospective, single-center experience

BACKGROUND

Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) is a proven surgical technique for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). However, its challenging learning curve prevents its widespread adoption by urologists. The aim of this study was to analyse the learning curve of HoLEP and to determine the factors accelerating it.

METHODS

This was a retrospective, monocentric cohort study of the first 60 cases of HoLEP performed by three operators. The primary outcome measure was operative efficiency, defined as the ratio of preoperative prostate volume estimated by trans-abdominal ultrasound (TAUS)to total surgical time in minutes. The studied learning curve parameters included the number of previously performed cases (NPPCs) and monthly case density (CD) (number of monthly performed cases before the studied one).

RESULTS

Overall, 180 patients with a mean age of 71 (±9) years and a mean prostate volume (g) of 80.4 (±41) were included. The mean operative efficiency in the population was 0.74 (±0.37) g/min. Operative efficiency was increased in patients who had been operated on by surgeons with a CD ≥3 (CD ≤2: 0.66 (±0.27) g/min vs. CD ≥3: 0.79 (±0.43) g/min; P=0.012). At 3months, 46 patients (29%) developed stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Early SUI was significantly decreased in patients who had been operated on by surgeons with a CD ≥3 (CD ≤2: 37%, (n=26) vs CD ≥3: 22%, (n=20); P=0.045).

CONCLUSIONS

A high frequency HoLEP procedures, set as one case per week, appeared to accelerate learning curves by improving operative efficiency. A high CD was also associated with reduced rates of early SUI.

LEVEL OF PROOF

5.

[Bladder pain syndrome: Long-term results (15 years) of a single-center experience]

INTRODUCTION

The management of bladder pain syndrome (BPS) in our center is standardized although there is no real consensus and recommendations. The objectives of our study were to assess the effectiveness of the treatment offered and to identify predictive factors of response to treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Single-center retrospective study including all patients with BPS. Patient and outcome measures included ICSI and ICPI scores, daytime voiding interval (DVI), nocturnal pollakiuria (NPK), and subjective satisfaction (SS). The complete care protocol (CCP) was based on a hydrodistension test followed by a cimetidine treatment then by 6 instillations of dimethyl sulfoxide followed by a maintenance treatment with pentosan polysulfate. The main objective of our study was the patient's SS at 3months and at medium term. One of the secondary objectives was to study the predictive factors of response to treatment.

OUTCOMES

From 2002 to 2019, 211 patients (90.5% women) were treated for BPS. Sixty-nine patients (35%) underwent the CCP that provided significant improvement in ICSI, ICPI, DVI and NPK and SS of 52.2%.). In the medium term, 149 patients were reassessed with a median follow-up of 99.6months (±3.6): 71.8% were satisfied and 54.2% were no longer receiving treatment. Among the 49 patients who initially received PSC, 74% were satisfied at 89.8 months of median follow-up (±2.9). In multivariate analysis, patients with a pain perception disorder (HR=0.17 IC95=0.05-0.52; P=0.002) or consuming anxiolytics (HR=0.3; IC95=0.13-0.69; P=0.004) had a statistically greater risk of not being satisfied.

CONCLUSION

In our study, the CCP achieves subjective medium-term satisfaction in nearly 75% of patients with BPS. These data deserve to be confirmed on a larger scale in a prospective protocol.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4

[Voiding dysfunction after TVT: A 20-year experience TVT-placement under local anesthesia and sedation]

BACKGROUND

Trans-vaginal tape has become the gold standard for the cure of urinary stress incontinence, but post-operative voiding dysfunction is frequently reported. The purpose of this study is to assess the incidence of voiding dysfunction, dysuria, chronic urinary retention, and necessity of reoperation after retropubic TVT placement under local anaesthesia and sedation.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

We perform a retrospective study of a cohort of patient treated with the placement of a retropubic TVT under local anaesthesia and sedation between 1999 and 2019 for a SUI. Post-operative voiding dysfunction and necessity of reoperation were reviewed to access the principal aim of this study.

RESULTS

Three hundred and two patients who met the eligibility criteria were included in the study. At 3 months, the dysuria rate and chronic urinary retention rate was 4.3% and 1%. At 12 months it was 2.6% and 0.3% respectively. The 12-month sling section rate was 1% and long-term self-catherization rate was 0.3%. The objective cure rate was 93% and subjective cure was 92%.

CONCLUSION

TVT placement under local anaesthesia and sedation resulted in few voiding dysfunctions at medium/long-term, necessity of re-operation for refractory obstructive disorder and well functional results. Even if these results support more frequent use of this type of anaesthesia, it would be interesting to be able to follow them in a prospective study to conclude.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4.

[Influence of urethral self-dilatation on the morbidity of the artificial urinary sphincter after endoscopic treatment of recurrent stenosis of the vesicourethral anastomosis]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the morbidity of the practice of daily self-dilatation (SD) in patients undergoing total prostatectomy, who have had artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) for urinary incontinence (UI) and who have had a recurrence of endoscopically treated vesicourethral anastomosis (VUS) stenosis.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

One hundred and thirty-eight patients with SUA for urinary incontinence (UI) fitted between 1998 and 2007 were divided into two groups. Thirty-five patients have had used self-dilatation (SD) for recurrent anastomotic stenosis (SD group) and 103 patients did not perform SD (non-SD group). These two groups were compared for explantation rate (erosion-infection), revision rate (urethral atrophy and mechanical failure) and 2-year functional results. The uni- and multivariate statistical analysis taken into consideration confounding factors such as age and radiotherapy history. The functional assessment was done by the validated IQoL, Ditrovie and MHU tests.

RESULTS

Patients in both groups were comparable except for the importance of urinary incontinence assessed by PAD test and questionnaires. The explantation rate was significantly higher in the "SD" group (28.5% vs 7.77%) and (OR=4.68, 95% CI [1.490-15.257], P=0.006). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the surgical revision rate (32% vs 20%, OR=0.44, P=0.09). The functional results at two years did not show any significant difference.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of self-dilation for recurrence of stenosis of vesicourethral anastomosis after prostatectomy exposes patients fitted with an SUA to a higher explantation rate.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3.

[Percutaneous MR-guided prostate cancer cryoablation: Predictive factors and oncologic outcomes]

OBJECTIVE

To determine the pejorative predictive factors on oncologic outcomes of percutaneous MR-guided whole gland prostate cancer cryoablation (CA).

METHODS

Medical records of patients treated from 2009 to 2012, to assess medium-term oncologic outcomes, were reviewed. Prostate biopsies were performed in local recurrence suspicion (biochemical failure, MR follow-up failure).

RESULTS

Among 18 patients, mean age of 72.6 (61-78), 2 (11 %) and 7 (38.9 %) biological and reported biopsy-proven local recurrence respectively with our initial technic of CA. Mean follow-up and recurrence were 56.3 (±21.7) and 20.7 (±13.9) months respectively. A previous treatment of prostate cancer (P=0.5), pre-treatment PSA (P=0.2), pre-treatment Gleason/ISUP score (P=0.4), nadir PSA post-CA (P=0.22) were not associated with recurrence. Bilateral positive cores appears as a pejorative predictive factor (P=0.04). However mean pre-treatment positive cores percentage, 25 (±16.5) in responding patients versus 40.7 (±25.2) in case of recurrence, and maximum percentage of cancer extent in each positive core, 10.6 (±9.3) in responding patients versus 18.7 (±16.5) in case of recurrence, seemed associated with local recurrence after prostate CA but our analysis wasn't able to find a difference (P=0.09 and P=0.3 respectively) due to a lack of power.

CONCLUSION

Bilateral positive cores appears as a pejorative predictive factor. In our experience, important tumor volume seem to be a pejorative predictive factor for oncologic outcomes after PCA whereas treatment, PSA, Gleason/ISUP score, nadir PSA are not.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4.

[Augmentation cystoplasty: Perioperative management for urologic nurses]

INTRODUCTION

Augmentation cystoplasty (AC) is a surgical option to restore a good capacity bladder reservoir able to fill at low pressure.

METHODS

The authors present the main principles for perioperative management for urologic nurses.

RESULTS

AC is usually made with a piece of ileum patched to the bladder. Patient education programs are very important and are usually managed by urologic nurses. It begins in preoperative phase with the self-catheterization learning and continue in the postoperative phase with advises and prevention of the urinary mucus.

CONCLUSION

AC are tricky surgeries but management and education of patients by urological nurses are key points to avoid chronic infection, stones or AC perforation.

[Temporary urethral stents changes as an alternative treatment for neurological bladder]

BACKGROUND

Patients with detrusor-sphincter dysynergia (DSD) who are unable to perform self-catheterisation can benefit from an endoscopic treatment. We chose regular urethral stent changes as an alternative to sphincterotomy in this kind of patients. The purpose of this study is to show that temporary urethral stents changes represent a treatment option with a reasonable morbidity for patients with DSD.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed patients in our center who had been treated with urethral stents from April 2005 to September 2017. The stent changes were performed every 12 to 18 months depending on urethrovesical fibroscopy findings. The primary endpoint was treatment continuation.

RESULTS

A total of 44 patients were enrolled in our study and the average follow-up duration was 46 months [18.5-53.25]. Primary treatment failure was seen in 14 (32%) patients mainly due to problems related to equipment (n=3) and urinary retention (n=2). Four patients died before their first stent change. The treatment was successful in 30 (68%) patients, of whom 10 (33%) subsequently adopted a voiding mode change. We lost sight of 5 patients (11%) during follow-up. The main complications were urinary retention (29%), urinary tract infections (27%) and stent migration (18%). Fifteen (34%) experienced grade III-IV complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Regular urethral stent changes represent an alternative treatment option for patients with DSD but with a significant morbidity.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4.

[The dimethyl sulfoxide under general anesthesia: An alternative after failure without anesthesia in the painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis?]

INTRODUCTION

The intravesical instillation of dimethyl sulfoxide (iDMSO), performed without anesthestic, is a therapeutic option for the painful bladder syndrome/interstial cystitis (PBS/IC). Some patients are against those iDMSO because of bad tolerance. Our study evaluates the tolerance and the outcome of the iDMSO under general anesthetic (GA) after the failure of the iDMSO without anesthetic.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From May 2013 to April 2016, 11 patients with a PBS, 9 women (81.8 %), have been treated by iDMSO without anesthetic, without improvement because of bad tolerance and no possibility to have a one hour contact between the bladder and the DMSO. The 11 patients were evaluated by mictional calendar and Sant O'Leary score. All the patients had a hydrodistension and a per os treatment without improvement.

OUTCOMES

Six new iDMSO were performed under general anesthetic in ambulatory surgery with good tolerance for the 11 patients. The frequency and the nocturia before iDMSO without anesthetic and after iDMSO under general anesthetic were 32.2minutes [15; 60] and 6.3 per night [3; 10] and 126.9minutes [25; 240] and 3 per night [2; 6], so a variation respectively of 96.4minutes [0; 180] and of 3.75 per night [2; 6]. The symptom score and the problem index were 17.5 [13; 20] and 15.5 [13; 16] before and 13.5 [4; 20] and 12 [1; 16] after iDMSO under general anesthetic; a variation of 3.2 [0; 9] and 4 [0; 12].

CONCLUSION

The iDMSO under general anesthetic seems to improve objectively and subjectively the patients who are not improved by the instillations without anesthetic because of bad tolerance.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4.

[Percutaneous renal ablation: Pre-, per-, post-interventional evaluation modalities and adapted management]

OBJECTIVES

Ablative treatment (AT) rise is foreseen, validation of steps to insure good proceedings is needed. By looking over the process of the patient, this study evaluates the requirements and choices needed in every step of the management.

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE^®, Embase^®, using (MeSH) words and we looked for all the studies. Investigators graded the strength of evidence in terms of methodology, language and relevance.

RESULTS

Explanations of AT proposal rather than partial nephrectomy or surveillance have to be discussed in a consultation shared by urologist and interventional radiologist. Per-procedure choices depend on predictable ballistic difficulties. High volume, proximity of the hilum or of a risky organ are in favor of general anesthesia, cryotherapy and computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (CT/MRI). Percutaneous approach should be privileged, as it seems as effective as the laparoscopic approach. Early and delayed complications have to be treated both by urologist and radiologist. Surveillance by CT/MRI insure of the lack of contrast-enhanced in the treated area. Patients and tumors criteria, in case of incomplete treatment or recurrence, are the key of the appropriate treatment: surgery, second session of AT, surveillance.

CONCLUSION

AT treatments require patient's comprehension, excellent coordination of the partnership between urologist and radiologist and relevant choices during intervention.

Minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum in children: Results of a modified Nuss procedure

INTRODUCTION

Pectus excavatum (PE) is the most common deformity of the anterior thoracic wall. The Nuss technique allows the thorax to be reshaped with the aid of a retrosternal metallic bar. The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the complication rate between the original Nuss technique and a lightly modified approach.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

We performed a retrospective single-center observational study based on the medical files of patients operated for PE in the Pediatric Surgery Unit between July 2004 and July 2015. We divided two patient groups according to the operating technique employed: the Nuss group (NG) and the modified Nuss group (MNG) with supplementary subxiphoid incision and bilateral thoracoscopy.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven patients were included: sixteen in the NG and eleven in the MNG. No significant differences were found between the two groups for all kinds of complications: total complication rate (50% for the NG versus 54% for the MNG, P>0.05), early (31% vs 46%, P>0.05), late (19% vs 9%, P>0.05), non-serious (37% vs 36%, P>0.05) or serious (13 vs 18%, P>0.05). There was no life threatening complication in the MNG, contrary to the NG. In the two groups, a significant difference was found (P=0.029) regarding the operating time: longer operating times (80±25min) were correlated with a higher complication rate.

CONCLUSION

The modified Nuss technique does not cause more complications than the original technique described by Nuss and it has the advantage to minimize the risk of heart damage.

[Long-term results and satisfaction of the mid-urethral slings among women]

OBJECTIVE

The mid urethral sling (MUS) has become as the gold standard treatment for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in female. The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of the SUI Transobturator Tape after 10 years follow-up.

METHODS

Retrospective study of 73 patients who underwent a mid urethral sling-transoburator tape (MUS-TOT) between November 2002 and November 2004. These patients were followed up by phone call and by mail, 10 years after the surgery. The indication of the MUS-TOT was a stress urinary incontinence, yet 26 patients (35.6 %) had a mixed urinary incontinence.

RESULTS

Out of 73 patients, 5 patients were excluded. Sixty-eight patients were contacted. The rate of responders was 72 %. Thirty-four patients (69.3 %) described episodes of urinary incontinence (52.9 % SUI, 47.1 % urgency). Fifteen patients (30.7 %) were continent. Among the patients who had incontinence, 26 (76.5 %) needed protections during the day and 18 (52.9 %) had to change them at least once. Twelve patients (35.3 %) needed protections at night and 3 (8.8 %) had to change it at least once. Thirty-nine patients (79.6 %) were satisfied. Twenty-nine patients filled up the Ditrovie questionnaire (42.6 %). The mean score of Ditrovie questionnaire after 10 years was 1.6±0.7, with a real improvement in comparison with the preoperative score (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Ten years after MUS-TOT treatment, the continence rate was low, even though the patients included in this study had high satisfaction rate. Several limitations should be taken into consideration in this study.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4.

[Benefit of clean intermittent self-catheterization in the management of urethral strictures]

OBJECTIVES

Urethral stenosis has a recurrent character. The urethroplasty is often proposed for repeat stenosis. This study seeks to explore the interest of clean intermittent self-catheterization in the evolution of urethral stenosis after urethrotomy.

METHODS

Single-center retrospective study from 2008 to 2013, concerning patients who received urethrotomy to treat urethral stenosis which was confirmed by endoscopy and a flow chart. Some accomplished self-catheterization in addition to urethrotomy to prevent recurrence. The monitoring was provided during consultation by a subjective assessment (patient and surgeon) and a flow chart. The restenosis were confirmed by endoscopy and flow chart.

RESULTS

Ninety-three patients treated with urethrotomy alone (50 patients) or associated with self-catheterization (43) was included. Urethral stenosis were mostly iatrogenic (75%), short <10mm (84%), single (74%) and primary (50.5%). Mean follow-up was 99.3±72.8 weeks. Eighteen patients (19%) had symptomatic recurrence suspected by flow chart with a mean Qmax at recurrence was 6.25±2.8mL/s (P<0.001), 8 in urethrotomy group and 10 in the urethrotomy+self-catheterization group. Recurrence rates were comparable in the 2 groups, urethrotomy (16%) urethrotomy+self-catheterization (23%) (P=0.46). The mean time to recurrence was 81.1±87 weeks and was different in the 2 groups: 76.8±76.3 weeks in urethrotomy group, 83.3±93.9 in urethrotomy+self-catheterization group (P=0.014). An analysis recurrence for the primitive urethral stenosis showed that the recurrence rate was not statistically different: 18% for urethrotomy+self-catheterization group vs 14% for urethrotomy group. An analysis of recurrent relapses for urethral stenosis showed a rate of 26%, comparable in the 2 groups (P=1).

CONCLUSION

After urethrotomy, urethral stenosis recurs in 1 patient over 5, after 18 months especially if they were complicated (multiple, recurrent, extended). Self-catheterization do not provide benefit in terms of recurrence (for the general population and for primitive urethral stenosis) compared to only urethrotomy but seem to extend the time without recurrence (76.8 weeks vs 83.3 weeks).

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

5.