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Study Type - Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4 OBJECTIVE • To critically analyze and compare surgical, oncological and functional outcomes of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) in patients with and without previous transurethral resection of prostate (TURP). PATIENTS AND METHODS • The study comprised 158 cases of RARP for clinically localized prostate cancer, including 26 cases that had undergone previous TURP (Group A). • Surgical, oncological and functional (short- and intermediate-term) outcomes of Group A were compared with 132 cases without previous TURP (Group B). RESULTS • Post TURP patients were found to have significantly greater blood loss (494 vs 324 mL) and a need for bladder neck reconstruction (26.7% vs 9.7%) compared to the non-TURP group. • Surgical time (189 vs 166 min), conversion rate, margin positivity rate and biochemical recurrence rate were also higher. • Incontinence rates were higher both at 6 (14% vs 11.8%) and 12 (25% vs 8%) months follow-up. CONCLUSIONS • RARP is feasible but challenging after TURP. It entails a longer operating time, greater operative difficulty and compromised oncological or continence outcomes. • These cases should be handled by an experienced robotic surgeon with the appropriate expertise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4 OBJECTIVE To record the technical problems and complications associated with the use of da Vinci S robotic system (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) and to review previous reports. METHODS We analysed our records for all machine- or instrument-related errors during the course of 340 consecutive robot-assisted urological operations at our centre from July 2006 to March 2009, using one robotic machine. The cause of the error (machine or human), troubleshooting methods and consequences of the errors were evaluated. RESULTS The overall device failure rate was 10.9% (37/340). The most frequent technical problems were related to robotic instruments (23/37). Other failures included colour/hue changes in the console image, intermittent double vision, fused illuminator bulb and problems with the master tool-manipulator device (hand-piece unit), patient cart circuitry, patient-side manipulator arm, closed-circuit camera unit or camera cable. Of 37 problems, 28 (76%) were surmountable during the course of surgery. The overall conversions to standard open/laparoscopic procedure attributable to mechanical failures of the robot were 0.6% (2/340). There were no complications or direct harm to the patient in any case. Most faults could be corrected or bypassed with some addition to operating room time. CONCLUSIONS Despite an association of various types of new technical problems with robotic surgery, it provides a safe mode of minimally invasive surgery with very low conversion rates attributable to it, and no direct patient injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4 OBJECTIVE To present our experience and outcomes of robot-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (RALP) for pelvi-ureteric junction obstruction (PUJO). PATIENTS AND METHODS This was a prospective study of 85 consecutive patients who had RALP for PUJO at our institute from July 2006 to December 2008. The preoperative evaluation included intravenous urography (IVU) and diuretic renography. The type of pyeloplasty was decided based on the size of the pelves, presence of crossing vessel, level of ureteric insertion and the length of obstruction. All surgery was done through a transperitoneal approach using four or five ports. The follow-up comprised IVU and renal dynamic scintigraphy. Relevant data were collected and analysed for perioperative morbidity, complications and long-term functional outcomes. RESULTS In all, 86 RALPs were performed, including one bilateral, 41 right-sided and 43 left-sided cases. The mean operative time was 121 min, including an anastomosis time of 47 min. The mean estimated blood loss was 45 mL. The drain was removed within 48 h. The mean hospital stay was 2.5 days. Three patients had stents that migrated upwards, and prolonged drainage. The success rate was 97% (82/85) with a mean follow-up of 13.6 months. CONCLUSIONS RALP is highly effective for managing PUJO, with low morbidity, quick recovery and a durable success rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the potential of MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) to segregate patients who, upon prostate biopsy, are more likely to show a malignancy in the peripheral zone (PZ) of the prostate gland. Materials and Methods: Before biopsy, MRSI was carried in 123 men with elevated prostate specific antigen level or an abnormal digital rectal examination. After the MRSI investigation, all patients underwent systematic transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy and were categorized using standard random number tables into the following two groups: (i) Group I, a 62 member training set; and (ii) Group II, a 61-member test set. The cutoff value for the [citrate/(choline+creatine)] ratio for patients in the training set was obtained using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve method. This value was then applied to the test set of patients as well. Results: The ROC method gave a cutoff value of 1.2 for the [Citrate/(Choline+Creatine)] ratio. When applied as a malignancy-predictor to the test group of patients (Group II), the ROC method generated the following results: sensitivity, 77%; specificity, 83%; negative predictive value, 93%; positive predictive value, 55% and accuracy, 82%. Conclusion: The results indicate that patients who are deemed as malignancy-positive in the PZ by MRSI using the ROC cutoff may be subjected to prostate biopsy to confirm the diagnosis of cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To evaluate the potential of MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) to segregate patients who, upon prostate biopsy, are more likely to show a malignancy in the peripheral zone (PZ) of the prostate gland. Materials and Methods Before biopsy, MRSI was carried in 123 men with elevated prostate specific antigen level or an abnormal digital rectal examination. After the MRSI investigation, all patients underwent systematic transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy and were categorized using standard random number tables into the following two groups: (i) Group I, a 62 member training set; and (ii) Group II, a 61-member test set. The cutoff value for the [citrate/(choline+creatine)] ratio for patients in the training set was obtained using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve method. This value was then applied to the test set of patients as well. Results The ROC method gave a cutoff value of 1.2 for the [Citrate/(Choline+Creatine)] ratio. When applied as a malignancy-predictor to the test group of patients (Group II), the ROC method generated the following results: sensitivity, 77%; specificity, 83%; negative predictive value, 93%; positive predictive value, 55% and accuracy, 82%. Conclusion The results indicate that patients who are deemed as malignancy-positive in the PZ by MRSI using the ROC cutoff may be subjected to prostate biopsy to confirm the diagnosis of cancer. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of docetaxel/prednisone and zoledronic acid in hormone refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) patients and to analyze prognostic factors predicting overall survival. Methods: Forty-four HRPC patients were given docetaxel (75 mg/m2), prednisone and zoledronic acid (4 mg) every three weeks. Overall and progression-free survival curves were calculated. Using the log–rank test, variables predicting overall survival (age, Gleason score, baseline prostate-specific antigen [PSA], percentage PSA decline, nadir PSA, number of chemotherapy cycles) were calculated. Results: Median age was 66 years and mean PSA 171.25 ng/mL. The average number of given cycles was 6.3. A good PSA response (>50% decline) was observed in 26/44 cases (59.1%). A total of 17/44 (38.6%) patients expired with a median overall survival of 62.4 weeks. Patients with a Gleason score less than 7, who received more than four cycles and with a more-than-50% decline in PSA had significantly better survival. Variables like age, baseline PSA and nadir PSA did not significantly affect survival. Conclusion: The combination of docetaxel/zoledronic/prednisone is safe and effective in the management of HRPC. Patients with a Gleason score <7, PSA decline >50% and those who receive more than four cycles have significantly better survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past decade several advances have been made in the field of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging. MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) is one such advance which holds promise for detecting biochemical change on imaging of the prostate, and that can be used in several ways for improving the management of patients with prostate cancer. We review the literature, technique and basics of MRSI, with its current status in various situations as applied to the management of prostate cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]