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ZusammenfassungSeit der Erstbeschreibung Roboter-assistierter Nierentumoroperationen im Jahr 2001 sind 20 Jahre vergangen, das Verfahren wird aber immer noch nicht flächendeckend in jeder deutschen urologischen Klinik angeboten. Insofern stellt sich die Frage, ob Roboter-assistierte Nierentumoreingriffe heutzutage als Standard angesehen werden können.Bis heute liegen für die Roboter-assistierte radikale Nephrektomie keine randomisiert-kontrollierten Studien zum Vergleich mit dem offenen oder laparoskopischen Vorgehen vor. Dennoch zeigt sich, dass gegenüber der offenen Nephrektomie sowohl Laparoskopie als auch Robotik insgesamt bessere perioperative Ergebnisse bei vergleichbarem onkologischen Outcome ermöglichen. Im direkten Vergleich beider minimal-invasiver Techniken gibt es keine eindeutigen Unterschiede, und insofern keinen Zusatznutzen für den Roboter, zumal die Operation robotisch meist teurer ist. Die Ausweitung der chirurgischen Indikationsstellung und erste Studien zur Roboter-assistierten Entfernung lokal weit fortgeschrittener Nierenzellkarzinome mit Level III bis IV Tumorthromben in der Vena cava deuten aber an, dass die robotische Nephrektomie insbesondere bei hoch komplexen Operationen dem laparoskopischen Zugang überlegen sein kann.Auch bezüglich der Roboter-assistierten Nierenteilresektion liegen bis heute keine prospektiv-randomisierten Studien vor. Trotzdem ließ sich bei robotisch wie auch laparoskopisch durchgeführten Nierenteilresektionen binnen weniger Jahre bei ausreichender Erfahrung des Operateurs eine geringere Morbidität gegenüber der offenen Operation feststellen. Im direkten Vergleich von robotischer und laparoskopischer Nierenteilresektion gibt es bisher keinen Konsens. Es zeichnet sich aber die Tendenz ab, dass Roboter-assistierte Eingriffe zusätzliche Vorteile haben, vor allem bei komplexen, endophytischen Tumoren. Dennoch sind bei Vergleichen der verschiedenen Operationsverfahren viele Einflussfaktoren zu berücksichtigen, zu denen insbesondere patienten- und tumorspezifische Faktoren, aber auch die Erfahrung von Operateur, Bed-Side Assistent und die jährliche Klinikfallzahl zählen.Insofern haben sich Roboter-assistierte Nierentumoroperationen bis heute zu einem sicheren Verfahren mit guten operativen Ergebnissen entwickelt und stellen einen etablierten Standard dar. Die perioperativen Ergebnisse sind denen der offenen Operation überlegen, das onkologische Outcome ist vergleichbar. Auch wenn robotische Eingriffe insbesondere aufgrund der hohen Anschaffungskosten häufig teurer sind als laparoskopische, haben sie das Potential, bei komplexen Operationen bessere Ergebnisse zu erzielen. Durch das Auslaufen des Patentschutzes, Eintreten neuer Hersteller und die Entwicklung neuer Technologien wird der Markt robotischer Chirurgie zukünftig wahrscheinlich starken Veränderungen unterliegen und die Kosten werden voraussichtlich sinken.

Radical nephroureterectomy is the gold standard of treatment for high-risk non-metastatic urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract. However, the optimal surgical approach remains a controversial debate. This study compared the perioperative and oncological outcomes of open and robot-assisted radical nephroureterectomies.131 consecutive radical nephroureterectomies (66 robot-assisted nephroureterectomies vs. 65 open nephroureterectomies) for urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract at a single tertiary referral center were included from 2009 to 2019. The perioperative and oncological outcomes were compared between both surgical approaches, including logistic regression analysis, propensity score matching, Kaplan Meier analyses, and Cox regression models.Overall, robot-assisted surgery had less blood loss (150 ml vs. 250, p = 0.004) and less positive surgical margins (1.5% vs. 15.4%, p = 0.004) at a comparable operating time (robotic 188min vs. 178). Any grade complications were more frequent after open surgery (40.9% vs. 63.1%, p = 0.011), and the length of stay was shorter after robotic nephroureterectomy (9 days vs. 12, p 0.001). These differences remained significant in the propensity score matched analysis, except for the complication rates, which were still lower for the robotic approach, but no longer significant. At a median follow-up of 30.9 months (range 1.4-129.5), neither the progression-free survival (PFS, 2-year: robotic 66.7% vs. open 55.3%), nor the overall survival differed significantly (OS, 2-year: robotic 76.2% vs. open 68.4%). In the Cox regression, the surgical approach did not impact the PFS or OS. Lymph node metastases (HR 3.32, p = 0.008) had the strongest impact on the PFS besides patient age (HR 1.51 per 10 years, p = 0.025) and prior cystectomy (HR 2.42, p = 0.026) in the multivariate analysis.Robot-assisted radical nephroureterectomy had significant perioperative advantages at comparable oncological outcomes compared to open surgery for the treatment of urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract at a high volume center, experienced in robotic surgery.

Salvage lymph node dissection is a rescue treatment for patients with nodal recurrence after radical prostatectomy. Very limited data are available on robotic salvage lymph node dissection. Our purpose was to investigate perioperative and oncological outcomes of robotic salvage lymph node dissection in a large monocentric series.Perioperative data, complications within 30 days after surgery and oncological outcomes as assessed by histology, prostate specific antigen changes, prostate specific antigen nadir after salvage lymph node dissection, and time to further therapy were analyzed. To identify predictive factors for oncological outcome, Kaplan-Meier and Cox-regression analyses were performed. For cases with a mismatch between preoperative positron emission tomography/computed tomography and the number of histologically positive lymph nodes, prostate specific membrane antigen immunohistochemistry was performed on removed lymph nodes.A total of 68 patients underwent robotic salvage lymph node dissection with a median operation time of 126 minutes, a blood loss of 50 ml, and a length of stay of 4 days. No major complications (Clavien 3) occurred. Median followup was 12.1 months. Median time to further therapy was 12.4 months, 37% of patients experienced complete biochemical response (prostate specific antigen0.2 ng/ml) and 11% reached an undetectable prostate specific antigen, which was maintained for1 year in 3 cases. Lower preoperative prostate specific antigen, longer time between radical prostatectomy and salvage lymph node dissection, preoperative prostate specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography and complete biochemical response after salvage lymph node dissection were significant predictors of longer therapy-free survival (all p0.005). Prostate specific membrane antigen immunohistochemistry revealed that prostate specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography tends to miss small lymph node metastases5 mm.Robotic salvage lymph node dissection is a feasible approach with low perioperative morbidity and delays further systemic therapy in most patients. Prostate specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography detection is mostly limited to tumor foci5 mm.

Objectives: Right laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (RLDN) is no longer regarded inferior to left LDN (LLDN). However, this knowledge is based on many studies suffering from inherent learning curves, center-specific imbalances, and different laparoscopic techniques. Methods: Pure LDNs at a high-volume referral center from 2011 to 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Patient, graft characteristics, outcomes of LDNs, and corresponding open kidney transplantations were compared between LLDN and RLDN including a follow-up. Results: 160 (78.4%) LLDNs and 44 (21.6%) RLDNs only differed regarding graft characteristics, as more right grafts had multiple veins (34.1 vs. 6.9%, p < 0.001) and worse scintigraphic function (44 vs. 51%, p < 0.001). RLDNs were shorter (201 vs. 220 min, p = 0.032) with longer warm ischemia time (165 vs. 140 s, p < 0.001), but left grafts were transplanted faster (160 vs. 171 min, p = 0.048). Recipients of right kidneys had more postoperative complications (grade 3: 25.6 vs. 11.3%, p = 0.020). At a follow-up of 45 (range 6–79) months, neither the kidney function, nor death-censored graft (5-year: LLDN 89 vs. 92%, p = 0.969) and patient survival (5-year: LLDN 95 vs. 98%, p = 0.747) differed. Conclusions: Pure LLDN and RLDN can have different outcomes at high-volume centers, especially higher complications for recipients of right grafts. However, long-term function and graft survival are the same irrespective of the chosen side.

Das lokal begrenzte Nierenzellkarzinom wird in der urologischen Praxis durch bessere Fruherkennung und hohere Lebenserwartung zunehmend relevant. Die gegenwartige Evidenz neuer Aspekte in der Therapie des lokal begrenzten Nierenzellkarzinoms, insbesondere die Fragen nach dem Organerhalt, Zugangsweg und fokal-ablativen Therapien wurden untersucht. In einer systematischen Literaturrecherche wurden relevante aktuelle Arbeiten aus den Jahren 2018 und 2019 eingeschlossen. Bis heute stehen prospektiv-randomisierte Studien zum Vergleich von Nephrektomie vs. Nierenteilresektion, allen drei operativen Zugangswegen untereinander und zum Vergleich mit fokal-ablativen Verfahren aus. Auch wenn die Nierenteilresektion eine hohere Morbiditat als die Nephrektomie hat, konnten positive Effekte auf das Uberleben nachgewiesen werden. Altere Patienten (>75 Jahre) mit fortgeschrittenen Tumoren schienen bisher nicht von der Nierenteilresektion zu profitieren, wobei minimal-invasive Verfahren in solchen Untersuchungen unterreprasentiert waren. Die minimal-invasive Nierenteilresektion hat gegenuber dem offenen Zugangsweg deutliche Vorteile, wobei das roboterassistierte Vorgehen dem laparoskopischen uberlegen ist. Fokal-ablative Verfahren sind technisch sicher und gut durchfuhrbar, reprasentative Vergleiche zur Nierenteilresektion stehen jedoch aus. Die Nierenteilresektion bleibt der therapeutische Goldstandard beim lokal begrenzten Nierenzellkarzinom und sollte vorzugsweise roboterassistiert durchgefuhrt werden. Fokal-ablative Therapieverfahren konnen in ausgewahlten Fallen eine Alternative darstellen.

Background Robot-assisted surgery has become widely adopted in urology due to advantages in comparison with laparoscopic or open approaches. Robot-assisted living kidney transplantation is one of the most challenging procedures in urology regarding technical, but also psychological and ethical aspects, and is currently routinely performed in two German departments. Objectives The goal was to analyze and compare current evidence and experiences of robot-assisted living kidney transplantation in Europe and in Germany. Materials and methods A systematic search was performed to identify relevant publications. They were compared with latest results from two German academic centers (Halle and Homburg/Saar). Results In 2015, robot-assisted living kidney transplantation was performed for the first time in Europe. Since then, 8 academic centers have established this procedure. Until today, more than 180 robot-assisted kidney transplantations have been performed. Short- and mid-term results have proven to be excellent with low complication rates. Apart from 3 transplant losses because of arterial thrombosis and 5 surgical re-explorations due to hematoma, no other noteworthy complications occurred. There was only 1 lymphocele. The median blood loss was 150 ml and kidney function after 1 year was unchanged in comparison with postoperative day 30. Conclusions Robot-assisted living kidney transplantation is not inferior to the open approach. Even superiority is not unlikely because problematic situations such as obese patients or complex vascular anatomy can be handled safely. In particular, the development of lymphocele and wound healing disorders appear to be significantly decreased compared to conventional surgery.

ZusammenfassungDie Entdeckung von immer kleineren Tumoren durch den umfassenden Einsatz von bildgebenden Verfahren, die Erweiterung der operativen Techniken und der systemischen Therapieoptionen fordern auch für Nierentumorpatienten eine Individualisierung der Therapie. Essenzielle Voraussetzung ist dabei die Kenntnis der Tumorbiologie, da sie eine differenzierte Diagnostik, individuelle Prognosebewertung und Therapiewahl, basierend auf Biomarkern, und die Entwicklung von neuen Therapiestrategien ermöglicht.Nierenzelltumore werden aktuell in 16 histologische Subtypen unterschieden, die durch spezifische genetische Veränderungen charakterisiert sind. Aufgrund ihrer unterschiedlichen Aggressivität ist die Kenntnis der Subtypen sowohl für die Therapieentscheidung als auch für die Nachsorge wichtig. Molekulare Marker können bei der Differenzialdiagnose eingesetzt werden. Molekulare Signaturen werden zukünftig aber auch wesentlich zur Prognosedifferenzierung innerhalb der Subtypen beitragen, wie für das klarzellige Nierenzellkarzinom bereits gezeigt wurde. Dies wird zur Entwicklung differenzierter Nachsorgeprotokolle und zu einer genaueren Selektion der Patienten für adjuvante Therapien führen. Für metastasierte Patienten stehen immer mehr medikamentöse Therapien zur Verfügung, die zielgerichtet in bestimmte zelluläre Signal- oder Kommunikationswege eingreifen. Auch wenn bisher noch keine validen prädiktiven Biomarker verfügbar sind, liegen vielversprechende Daten zu molekularen Signaturen in Korrelation mit dem Ansprechen auf Tyrosinkinaseinhibitoren oder Checkpointinhibitoren vor, die in Zukunft wesentlich besser als die klinischen Scores eine individuelle Therapiewahl ermöglichen werden.Zur Überführung der vielversprechenden Biomarker in die klinische Praxis sind nun prospektive multizentrische Studien erforderlich. Die Berücksichtigung von bereits vorhandenen Erkenntnissen aus der Tumorbiologie der verschiedenen NZK-Entitäten sowohl bez. der veränderten Signalwege in den Tumorzellen selbst als auch der Rolle des Mikromilieus einschließlich der Immunzellen ist eine essenzielle Voraussetzung für eine weitere Verbesserung von Diagnostik und Therapie.

Background Most comparisons of robot-assisted (RARC) versus open radical cystectomy (ORC) for urothelial carcinoma do not factor the inherent stage selection bias or surgical experience. Methods We compared the perioperative outcomes of 229 RARC and 335 ORC at a single tertiary referral center with propensity score matching and multiple regression models, when controlling for tumor and patient characteristics, surgeon's experience and type of urinary diversion. Results RARC had less major complications (19.8% vs. 34.1%) and ICU admissions (6.6% vs. 19.8%), with lower blood loss (400 vs. 500ml) and transfusion rates. The operating time was longer (336 vs. 286min), but decreased with surgeon's experience. RARC had less PSMs (3% vs. 8.4%) and a higher lymph node count (14 vs. 11). Conclusions In this large single center series comparing RARC with ORC controlling for stage selection bias and surgical experience, RARC proved significantly better outcomes, especially with intracorporeal urinary diversion. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Simple Summary: Treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) remains a challenge due to the lack of biomarkers indicating the optimal drug for each patient. This study analyzed blood samples of patients with predominant clear cell mRCC who were treated with the mTOR inhibitor everolimus after failure of one prior tumor therapy. In an exploratory approach, predictive blood biomarkers were searched. We found lower levels of the protein thrombospondin-2 (TSP-2) at the start of the therapy and higher lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in serum two weeks after therapy initiation to be associated with therapy response. Of note, these blood biomarkers had a higher predictive value than baseline patient parameters or risk classifications. Polymorphisms in the mTOR gene appeared to be associated with therapy response, but were not significant. To conclude, it seems feasible to identify patients showing longtime responses to everolimus and possible to increase tumor therapy response rates based on biomarkers for individual therapy selection. Abstract: There is an unmet need for predictive biomarkers in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) therapy. The phase IV MARC-2 trial searched for predictive blood biomarkers in patients with predominant clear cell mRCC who benefit from second-line treatment with everolimus. In an exploratory approach, potential biomarkers were assessed employing proteomics, ELISA, and polymorphism analyses. Lower levels of angiogenesis-related protein thrombospondin-2 (TSP-2) at baseline (≤665 parts per billion, ppb) identified therapy responders with longer median progression-free survival (PFS; ≤665 ppb at baseline: 6.9 months vs. 1.8, p = 0.005). Responders had higher lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in serum two weeks after therapy initiation (>27.14 nmol/L), associated with a longer median PFS (3.8 months vs. 2.2, p = 0.013) and improved overall survival (OS; 31.0 months vs. 14.0 months, p < 0.001). Baseline TSP-2 levels had a stronger relation to PFS (HR 0.36, p = 0.008) than baseline patient parameters, including IMDC score. Increased serum LDH levels two weeks after therapy initiation were the best predictor for OS (HR 0.21, p < 0.001). mTOR polymorphisms appeared to be associated with therapy response but were not significant. Hence, we identified TSP-2 and LDH as promising predictive biomarkers for therapy response on everolimus after failure of one VEGF-targeted therapy in patients with clear cell mRCC.

Background Most comparisons between robot-assisted (RAPN) and open partial nephrectomy (OPN) indicate the superiority of RAPN, but the learning curve is often not considered. Methods All consecutive partial nephrectomies from the very first RAPN at a single tertiary referral center (n=818, 500 RAPN vs. 313 OPN) were retrospectively analyzed. Complications, success rates, and surgical outcomes were compared. Inequalities between cohorts and the inherent learning curve were controlled by subgroup comparisons, regression analyses, and propensity score matching. Results Overall, RAPN had fewer complications, less blood loss, and shorter length of stay. However, an inherent learning curve caused higher complications for the first 4 years. Thereafter, perioperative outcomes clearly favored RAPN, even for more complex tumors. Conclusions In one of the largest monocentric cohorts over more than 10 years, RAPN was found to be superior to OPN. However, not all advantages of RAPN are immediate because a learning curve must be passed. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Health care systems worldwide have been facing major challenges since the outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Kidney transplantation (KT) has been tremendously affected due to limited personal protective equipment (PPE) and intensive care unit (ICU) capacities. To provide valid information on risk factors for ICU admission in a high-risk cohort of old kidney recipients from old donors in the Eurotransplant Senior Program (ESP), we retrospectively conducted a bi-centric analysis. Overall, 17 (16.2%) patients out of 105 KTs were admitted to the ICU. They had a lower BMI, and both coronary artery disease (CAD) and hypertensive nephropathy were more frequent. A risk model combining BMI, CAD and hypertensive nephropathy gained a sensitivity of 94.1% and a negative predictive value of 97.8%, rendering it a valuable search test, but with low specificity (51.1%). ICU admission also proved to be an excellent parameter identifying patients at risk for short patient and graft survivals. Patients admitted to the ICU had shorter patient (1-year 57% vs. 90%) and graft (5-year 49% vs. 77%) survival. To conclude, potential kidney recipients with a low BMI, CAD and hypertensive nephropathy should only be transplanted in the ESP in times of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic if the local health situation can provide sufficient ICU capacities.

Living kidney donation is the best treatment for end-stage renal disease, however, the best surgical approach for minimally-invasive donor nephrectomy (DN) is still a matter of debate. This bi-centric study aimed to retrospectively compare perioperative outcomes and postoperative kidney function after 257 transperitoneal DNs including 52 robot-assisted (RDN) and 205 laparoscopic DNs (LDN). As primary outcomes, the intraoperative (operating time, warm ischemia time (WIT), major complications) and postoperative (length of stay, complications) results were compared. As secondary outcomes, postoperative kidney and graft function were analyzed including delayed graft function (DGF) rates, and the impact of the surgical approach was assessed. Overall, the type of minimally-invasive donor nephrectomy (RDN vs. LDN) did not affect primary outcomes, especially not operating time and WIT, and major complication and DGF rates were low in both groups. A history of smoking and preoperative kidney function, but not the surgical approach, were predictive for postoperative serum creatinine of the donor and recipient. To conclude, RDN and LDN have equivalent perioperative results in experienced centers. For this reason, not the surgical approach, but rather the graft- (preoperative kidney function) and patient-specific (history of smoking) aspects impacted postoperative kidney function.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE:Robotic assisted kidney transplantation (RAKT) has recently been introduced in many centers in Europe with an important expansion over the last year, because of the good ...

Human papilloma virus (HPV) infections are one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. We present the case of a 77-year-old Caucasian male with enormous genital warts of the penis, scrotum, groins and anus. Lesions were excised by electrosurgery. The histological examination revealed Condylomata gigantea as well as an invasive perianal squamous cell carcinoma. Mucosal “low-risk” HPV type 6 was detected. The patient had a history of an immunosuppressing disease. During the 4-year follow-up, multiple relapses occurred. Thus, particularly in immunosuppressed patients, early prophylactic HPV vaccination seems to be indicated for use in the prevention of HPV-associated mutilating and life-threatening disease. Vaccination should also protect from “low-risk” HPV.

Introduction & Objectives: RAKT from living donors (LD) is increasingly performed in selected centers with experience in robotic surgery and kidney transplantation (KT). Of note, KT from LD using right-sided graft (RSG) is challenging due to the brevity of the right renal vein and has been associated with a higher risk of perioperative complications in selected series. In this scenario, RAKT may facilitate the performance of vascular anastomoses in case of short renal vessels thanks to the advantages of the robotic platform. However, the evidence on the safety and feasibility of RAKT using RSGs is lacking. The aim of this study is to compare the surgical and early perioperative outcomes after RAKT from LD using right- vs. left-sided grafts in a large prospective multicenter cohort (ERUS-RAKT working group).

Introduction: RAKT from living donors (LD) is increasingly performedin selected centers with experience in robotic surgery and kidneytransplantation (KT). Of note, KT from LD using right-sided graft (RSG)is challenging due to the brevity of the right renal vein and has beenassociated with a higher riskof perioperative complications in selectedseries. In this scenario, RAKT may facilitate the performance ofvascular anastomoses in case of short renal vessels thanks to theadvantages of the robotic platform. However, the evidence on thesafety and feasibility of RAKT using RSGs is lacking. The aim of thisstudy is to compare the surgical andearly perioperative outcomes after RAKT from LD using right- vs. left-sided grafts in a large prospectivemulticenter cohort (ERUS-RAKT working group).

Prognostic markers for the definition of the individual metastatic risk in renal cell carcinoma are still missing. The aim of our study was to establish a total number of specific aberrations (TNSA) genetic score as a new prognostic test for metastatic risk evaluation. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed on isolated cell nuclei of 100 ccRCCs (50 M1/50 M0) and 100 FFPE sections (second cohort, 32 M1/68 M0). For each chromosomal region (1q21.3, 7q36.3, 9p21.3p24.1, 20q11.21q13.32) cut-off values were determined by receiver-operator curve (ROC)-curve analysis. TNSA was calculated based on the dichotomized specific CNVs. The prognostic significance of CNVs was proven by Cox and logistic regression. TNSA was the best predictor of metastasis and recurrence free survival in both cohorts. We derived an algorithm for risk stratification by combining TNSA and T-category, which increased the prognostic accuracy to 87% (specificity = 86%, sensitivity = 88%). This model divides patients into two risk groups with significantly different RFS, CSS, and OS (P = 3.8×10-5 , P = 5×10-6 and P = 3.57×10-8 respectively). The genetic risk model was superior to Leibovich score and was able to identify patients with metachronous metastatic spread which were incorrectly classified as "low" or "intermediate risk." We present a new tool for individual risk stratification by combining genetic alterations with clinico-pathologic parameters. Interphase FISH proves to be a dependable method for prognostic evaluation in primary tumor tissue on isolated cell nuclei as well as on FFPE sections. Especially in organ-confined tumors the genetic score seems to be an important tool to identify patients at high risk for metastatic disease.

Gynecomastia is a common incidental finding in males that can be caused by various benign or malignant diseases. In rare cases, it results from Leydig cell tumors, a rare entity accounting for 3% of all testicular neoplasms. Some of them are hormonally active but seldom cause symptomatic endocrine disturbance. Here we report on a 32-year-old male presenting with gynecomastia which he had already been suffering from for two years. Although he had been seen by three other specialists, including a urologist, none of them found the small mass in the upper pole of his right testis. We decided to perform testis-sparing surgery which confirmed the diagnosis of a hormonally active Leydig cell tumor. During follow-up, hormonal status normalized, and gynecomastia began to resolve.