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Objective: To report oncological outcomes after thulium-yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Tm:YAG) laser ablation for penile cancer patients., Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 71 patients with ≤cT1 penile cancer (2013-2022). All patients underwent Tm:YAG ablation with a RevoLix 200W continuous-wave laser. First, Kaplan-Meier plots and multivariable Cox regression models tested local tumor recurrence rates. Second, Kaplan-Meier plots tested progression-free survival (≥T3 and/or N1-3 and/or M1)., Results: Median (interquartile range) follow-up time was 38 (22-58) months. Overall, 33 (50.5%) patients experienced local tumor recurrence. Specifically, 19 (29%) vs 9 (14%) vs 5 (7.5%) patients had 1 vs 2 vs 3 recurrences over time. In multivariable Cox regression models, a trend for higher recurrence rates was observed for G3 tumors (hazard ratio:6.1; P = .05), relative to G1. During follow-up, 12 (18.5%) vs 4 (6.0%) vs 2 (3.0%) men were retreated with 1 vs 2 vs 3 Tm:YAG laser ablations. Moreover, 11 (17.0%) and 3 (4.5%) patients underwent glansectomy and partial/total penile amputation. Last, 5 (7.5%) patients experienced disease progression. Specifically, TNM stage at the time of disease progression was: (1) pT3N0; (2) pT2N2; (3) pTxN3; (4) pT1N1 and (5) pT3N3, respectively., Conclusion: Tm:YAG laser ablation provides similar oncological results as those observed by other penile-sparing surgery procedures. In consequence, Tm:YAG laser ablation should be considered a valid alternative for treating selected penile cancer patients., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components (high blood pressure, BMI≥30, altered fasting glucose, low HDL cholesterol and high triglycerides) may undermine early perioperative outcomes after radical prostatectomy (RP). We tested this hypothesis., Materials & Methods: Within the National Inpatient Sample database (2008-2015) we identified RP patients. The effect of MetS was tested in four separate univariable analyses, as well as in multivariable regression models predicting: 1) overall complications, 2) length of stay, 3) total hospital charges and 4) non-home based discharge. All models were weighted and adjusted for clustering, as well as all available patient and hospital characteristics., Results: Of 91,618 patients: 1) 50.2% had high blood pressure, 2) 8.0% had BMI≥30, 3) 13.0% had altered fasting glucose, 4) 22.8% had high triglycerides and 5) 0.03% had low HDL cholesterol. Respectively, one vs. two vs. three vs. four MetS components were recorded in 36.2% vs. 19.0% vs. 5.5% vs. 0.8% patients. Of all patients, 6.3% exhibited ≥3 components and qualified for MetS diagnosis. The rates of MetS increased over time (EAPC:+9.8%; p < 0.001). All four tested MetS components (high blood pressure, BMI≥30, altered fasting glucose and high triglycerides) achieved independent predictor status in all four examined endpoints. Moreover, a highly statistically significant dose-response was also confirmed for all four tested endpoints., Conclusion: MetS and its components consistently and strongly predict early adverse outcomes after RP. Moreover, the strength of the effect was directly proportional to the number of MetS components exhibited by each individual patient, even if formal MetS diagnosis of ≥3 components has not been met., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To test contemporary rates and predictors of open conversion at minimally invasive partial nephrectomy (MIPN: laparoscopic or robotic partial nephrectomy)., Materials and Methods: Within the National Inpatient Sample database (2008-2015) we identified all MIPN patients and patients that underwent open conversion at MIPN. First, estimated annual percentage changes (EAPC) tested temporal trends of open conversion. Second, univariable and multivariable logistic regression models predicted open conversion at MIPN. All models were weighted and adjusted for clustering, as well as all available patient and hospital characteristics., Results: Of 7649 MIPN patients, 287 (3.8%) underwent open conversion. The rates of open conversion decreased over time (from 12 to 2.4%; EAPC: 24.8%; p = 0.004). In multivariable logistic regression models predicting open conversion, patient obesity achieved independent predictor status (OR:1.80; p < 0.001). Moreover, compared to high volume hospitals, medium volume (OR:1.48; p = 0.02) and low volume hospitals (OR:2.11; p < 0.001) were associated with higher rates of open conversion. Last but not least, when the effect of obesity was tested according to hospital volume, the rates of open conversion ranged from 2.2 (non obese patients treated at high volume hospitals) to 9.8% (obese patients treated at low volume hospitals)., Conclusion: Overall contemporary (2008-2015) rate of open conversion at MIPN was 3.8% and it was strongly associated with patient obesity and hospital surgical volume. In consequence, these two parameters should be taken into account during preoperative patients counselling, as well as in clinical and administrative decision making., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To test the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components (high blood pressure, body mass index [BMI]  ≥ 30, altered fasting glucose, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high triglycerides) on perioperative outcomes after partial nephrectomy (PN)., Methods: Within the National Inpatient Sample database (2000-2015) we identified all PN patients. First, temporal trends of MetS were reported. Second, the effect of MetS components was tested in multivariable logistic regression models predicting overall and specific perioperative complications. Third, we tested for dose-response from the concomitant effect of multiple MetS components. All models were weighted and adjusted for clustering, as well as all available patient and hospital characteristics., Results: Of 25,875 patients: (1) 59.3% had high blood pressure, (2) 14.7% had BMI  ≥ 30, (3) 21.7% had altered fasting glucose, (4) 20.2% had high triglycerides, and (5) <0.01% had low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. One vs 2 vs 3 vs 4 MetS components were recorded in 34.9% vs 22.9% vs 8.9% vs 2.2% patients. Of all, 11.1% exhibited  ≥ 3 components and qualified for MetS. The rates of MetS increased over time (estimated annual percentage changes: +12.0%;P <.001). The 4 tested MetS components (high blood pressure, BMI  ≥ 30, altered fasting glucose, and high triglycerides) achieved independent predictor status in multivariable models predicting overall, cardiac, miscellaneous medical, vascular, and respiratory complications, as well as transfusions. Moreover, a statistically significant dose-response was confirmed for the same endpoints., Conclusion: MetS and its components consistently and strongly predict perioperative complications after PN. Moreover, the strength of the effect was directly proportional to the number of MetS components exhibited by each individual patient, even if formal MetS diagnosis of  ≥ 3 components has not been met., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To test the effect of obesity (body mass index ≥30 kg/m 2 ) on perioperative outcomes and total hospital charges at robot-assisted vs open radical prostatectomy (RARP vs ORP)., Methods: Within the National Inpatient Sample database (2008-2015), we identified obese vs nonobese RARP and ORP patients. Estimated annual percent changes, multivariable logistic regression and linear regression models were used. All models were adjusted for clustering and weighted., Results: Of all, 53,626 (60%) underwent RARP vs 35,757 (40%) underwent ORP. At RARP, 8.6% were obese vs 6.9% at ORP. RARP rate increased significantly over time (12.5%-81.5%). Obesity rate increased significantly over time at both, RARP (5.1%-10.5%) and ORP (5.4%-10.7%). In multivariable logistic regression models, obesity predicted 5 of 11 unfavourable perioperative complications at RARP (odds ratio: 1.6-1.8) and 9 of 11 at ORP (odds ratio: 1.3-2.8). In linear regression models, obesity significantly added to total hospital charges at RARP (740$) and ORP (312$)., Conclusion: Obesity may predispose to higher rates of adverse outcomes at RP. Its effect varies according to surgical approach., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)