1,721,498 research outputs found
Recent advances in prostate cancer: diagnosis, patient selection and minimally invasive treatment
No full textRobotic surgery in urology: the Italian contribution
No full textThe introduction of robotic technology has given a major boost to the urologic surgery by expanding the indications of minimally-invasive surgery. The Italian urological community has played a major role in this revolution, by contributing to the development and dissemination of technological innovation in urology, with several key publications stemming from this research. The most important revolution has been observed in radical prostatectomy, with robotic technology allowing to achieve better functional results. Nephron-sparing surgery has also been expanded, and leading Italian centers are being involved in international research groups focused on these topics. Major impact has been observed for pyeloplasty, where Italy has been a leader in the field with the introduction of robot-assisted single-site technique. In summary, the advent of robotics has improved collaborations between Italy and other Countries, with increased scientific activity, continuous improvement of surgical techniques and effective training of young urologists
AUTHOR REPLY
No full textWe read with interest the comments by Corse and colleagues on our recently published paper about the use of indocyanine green (ICG) enabling the overlap of the 3D virtual kidney model over the real organ during surgery. The Authors present insightful comments on the new presented technology
Augmented Reality Robot-assisted Radical Prostatectomy: Preliminary Experience
No full textObjective: To present our preliminary experience with augmented reality robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (AR-RARP). Materials: From June to August 2017, patients candidate to RARP were enrolled and underwent high-resolution multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (1-mm slices) according to dedicated protocol. The obtained three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction was integrated in the robotic console to perform AR-RARP. According to the staging at magnetic resonance imaging or reconstruction, in case of cT2 prostate cancer, intrafascial nerve sparing (NS) was performed: a mark was placed on the prostate capsule to indicate the virtual underlying intraprostatic lesion; in case of cT3, standard NS AR-RARP was scheduled with AR-guided biopsy at the level of suspected extracapsular extension (ECE). Prostate specimens were scanned to assess the 3D model concordance. Results: Sixteen patients underwent intrafascial NS technique (cT2), whereas 14 underwent standard NS+ selective biopsy of suspected ECE (cT3). Final pathology confirmed clinical staging. Positive surgical margins' rate was 30% (no positive surgical margins in pT2). In patients whose intraprostatic lesions were marked, final pathology confirmed lesion location. In patients with suspected ECE, AR-guided selective biopsies confirmed the ECE location, with 11 of 14 biopsies (78%) positive for prostate cancer. Prostate specimens were scanned with finding of a good overlap. The mismatch between 3D reconstruction and scanning ranged from 1 to 5 mm. In 85% of the entire surface, the mismatch was <3 mm. Conclusion: In our preliminary experience, AR-RARP seems to be safe and effective. The accuracy of 3D reconstruction seemed to be promising. This technology has still limitations: the virtual models are manually oriented and rigid. Future collaborations with bioengineers will allow overcoming these limitations
Immune response in prostate cancer
No full textSurprisingly perhaps for a tumor where there is such clear proof of a primary hormonal basis to its development, there is emerging evidence that all elements playing a key role in prostate cancer somehow affect the host immune system. This review turns the spotlight on some previously unsuspectable aspects, able to interact with the immune system in prostate cancer patients PSA, sex hormones, inflammatory infiltrates, cytokines, growth factors, neoformed blood vessels, neurotransmitters and neurotrophins, cigarette smoking, diet, therapeutic approaches. The concept of exploiting the immune system to combat cancer is not new, but only nowadays immunotherapy is a reality. Prostate cancer is an excellent target, involved in an increasing number of clinical immunotherapeutic trials. The main current purpose is to overcome the host immune tolerance of tumor cells. The most recent progresses in gene, monoclonal antibody and vaccine therapies are reported
The preoperative stratification of patients based on renal scan data is unable to predict the functional outcome after partial nephrectomy
No full textINTRODUCTION:
eGFR-categories are used to predict functional outcome after partial nephrectomy (PN); no study categorized patients according to preoperative renal scan (RS) data. Aim of the study was to evaluate if stratification of patients according to RS is a reliable method to predict minor/major loss of renal function after PN.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
We considered patients who underwent PN and RS pre-/post-PN for T1 tumor in our Institution (2007-2017). Demographics, perioperative and specifically functional data were analysed. On the basis of the baseline Split Renal Function (SRF), patients were stratified into risk-categories: 1) baseline operated-kidney SRF range 45-55%; 2) baseline operated-kidney SRF < 45%. Risk categories were analysed with postoperative functional outcome: postoperative operated-kidney SRF decrease below 90% of baseline was considered significant loss of function. Contingency tables and univariate/multivariate regression were analysed looking for independent factors of postoperative functional impairment.
RESULTS:
224 patients were analysed, 125 (55.8%) maintained >90% of their baseline function. Worse probability of maintaining ≥90 baseline renal function was found in patients with Charlson's Comorbidity Index (CCI≥3) (p=0.004) and patients with PADUA score ≥8 (p=0.023). After stratification by baseline renal function, ischemia was the only independent factor: no effect on patients with poorer baseline renal function. Patients with baseline SRF 45-55% who did not experience ischemia had the highest probability to maintain ≥90% baseline SRF (p=0.028). Ischemia >25 minutes was detrimental (p=0.017).
CONCLUSIONS:
Stratification of patients by SRF before PN is not a reliable predictor of renal functional outcome. Ischemia seems to scarcely influence patients with poorer renal function
Hyperaccuracy Three-dimensional Reconstruction Is Able to Maximize the Efficacy of Selective Clamping During Robot-assisted Partial Nephrectomy for Complex Renal Masses
No full textBACKGROUND:
Available technologies could avoid global ischemia for the removal of a renal tumor.
OBJECTIVE:
To present hyperaccuracy three-dimensional (HA3D) reconstruction during robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) and compare its efficacy in sponsoring successful selective clamping of renal arterial branches during RAPN.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS:
Patients undergoing RAPN (January 2016-July 2017) for renal mass PADUA score ≥10 who underwent abdominal computed tomography scan with angiography. Since February 2017 HA3D reconstruction was performed.
SURGICAL PROCEDURE:
HA3D reconstruction-aided RAPN and standard RAPN with selective clamping.
MEASUREMENTS:
Intraoperative variables focusing on the renal arterial pedicle management and success rate of its planned management.
RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS:
Thirty-one patients in group no HA3D and 21 in group HA3D. The median (standard deviation) tumor size was 50.9 and 50.8mm (p=0.97), and median PADUA scores 10.5 and 11 (p=0.85) for groups no HA3D and HA3D, respectively. In group no HA3D, a significantly higher number of patients underwent global ischemia (80% vs 24%, p<0.01). Of note, in 90% of the group HA3D cases, intraoperative management of the renal pedicle was performed as preoperatively planned; in 39% of the group no HA3D cases, management of the renal arterial pedicle was varied intraoperatively (p=0.04). We disclose the limited sample size and the experimental technique.
CONCLUSIONS:
Preoperative simulation of selective ischemia was feasible and effective with HA3D reconstruction. In all the RAPN cases performed, selective clamping was successful, avoiding ischemia of the healthy renal remnant. A strict collaboration between urologists and bioengineers is mandatory to improve the technology.
PATIENT SUMMARY:
In this report, we found that an accurate three-dimensional reconstruction of the kidney before conservative surgery for renal cancer seems to help in avoiding the global ischemia of the kidney. Further studies are needed to conclude if avoiding a percentage of ischemia to the kidney is clinically relevant
Follow-up of Temporary Implantable Nitinol Device (TIND) Implantation for the Treatment of BPH: a Systematic Review
No full textPURPOSE OF REVIEW:
The purpose of the present systematic review is to offer a narrative synthesis of the available literature regarding the role of the temporary implantable nitinol device (TIND) (Medi-Tate®; Medi-Tate Ltd., Or Akiva, Israel) for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)-related lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), specifically focusing on the follow-up data.
RECENT FINDINGS:
Current available evidences are limited in this topic. Sample size of patients available for analysis is small. Moreover, the duration of follow-up period is intermediate and longer follow-up is required. At the available 3 years follow-up, the TIND implantation is safe, effective, and well tolerated. The extended follow-up of the first and only available cohort of patients who underwent TIND for LUTS related to BPH corroborated previous literature findings. Further studies are required in order to assess the durability of TIND outcomes over a longer follow-up, to better define the indications of this approach, and to demonstrate the advantages of second-generation device over the first
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