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Ability to predict the risk of intraoperative adverse events (IOAEs) for patients undergoing partial nephrectomy (PN) can be of great clinical significance.To develop and internally validate a preoperative nomogram predicting IOAEs for robot-assisted PN (RAPN).In this observational study, data for demographic, preoperative, and postoperative variables for patients who underwent RAPN were extracted from the Vattikuti Collective Quality Initiative (VCQI) database.IOAEs were defined as the occurrence of intraoperative surgical complications, blood transfusion, or conversion to open surgery/radical nephrectomy. Backward stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of IOAEs. The nomogram was validated using bootstrapping, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), and the goodness of fit. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to determine the clinical utility of the model.Among the 2114 patients in the study cohort, IOAEs were noted in 158 (7.5%). Multivariable analysis identified five variables as independent predictors of IOAEs: RENAL nephrometry score (odds ratio [OR] 1.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.25); clinical tumor size (OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.001-1.024); PN indication as absolute versus elective (OR 3.9, 95% CI 2.6-5.7) and relative versus elective (OR 4.2, 95% CI 2.2-8); Charlson comorbidity index (OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.05-1.30); and multifocal tumors (OR 8.8, 95% CI 5.4-14.1). A nomogram was developed using these five variables. The model was internally valid on bootstrapping and goodness of fit. The AUC estimated was 0.76 (95% CI 0.72-0.80). DCA revealed that the model was clinically useful at threshold probabilities5%. Limitations include the lack of external validation and selection bias.We developed and internally validated a nomogram predicting IOAEs during RAPN.We developed a preoperative model than can predict complications that might occur during robotic surgery for partial removal of a kidney. Tests showed that our model is fairly accurate and it could be useful in identifying patients with kidney cancer for whom this type of surgery is suitable.

OBJECTIVES To assess and compare peri-operative outcomes of patients undergoing robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) for imperative vs elective indications. PATIENT AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed a multinational database of 3802 adults who underwent RAPN for elective and imperative indications. Laparoscopic or open partial nephrectomy (PN) were excluded. Baseline data for age, gender, body mass index, American Society of Anaesthesiologists score and PADUA score were examined. Patients undergoing RAPN for an imperative indication were matched to those having surgery for an elective indication using propensity scores in a 1:3 ratio. Primary outcomes included organ ischaemic time, operating time, estimated blood loss (EBL), rate of blood transfusions, Clavien-Dindo complications, conversion to radical nephrectomy (RN) and positive surgical margin (PSM) status. RESULTS After propensity-score matching for baseline variables, a total of 304 patients (76 imperative vs 228 elective indications) were included in the final analysis. No significant differences were found between groups for ischaemia time (19.9 vs 19.8 min; P = 0.94), operating time (186 vs 180 min; P = 0.55), EBL (217 vs 190 mL; P = 0.43), rate of blood transfusions (2.7% vs 3.7%; P = 0.51), or Clavien-Dindo complications (P = 0.31). A 38.6% (SD 47.9) decrease in Day-1 postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate was observed in the imperative indication group and an 11.3% (SD 45.1) decrease was observed in the elective indication group (P

We report on comparative effectiveness of minimally invasive versus traditional open kidney transplantation.We undertook a prospective cohort study of 654 patients who underwent open or robotic kidney transplantation at a single tertiary care hospital between January 2013 and December 2015. Primary outcome was delayed graft function, defined as the need for dialysis within 1 week of surgery. Secondary outcomes included postoperative complications, pain, graft rejection, and graft and patient survival. Nonparsimonious propensity score and Ding-VanderWeele analytical methods were used to account for confounding bias.Within the 1:3 matched cohort (robotic 126, open 378; well matched with standardized mean difference ∼10%), the robotic approach was associated with lower rates of wound infections (0% vs 4%, p=0.023) and symptomatic lymphoceles (0% vs 7% at 36 months, p=0.003), as well as reduced postoperative pain, requirement for narcotic analgesia and blood loss. There were no differences between the 2 groups, robotic versus open, with respect to graft function (delayed graft function 0% vs 2.4%, p=0.081), hospital stay (median 8 days for both, p=0.647), graft rejection (16.2% vs 18.6% at 36 months, p=0.643), and graft (95.2% vs 96.3% at 36 months, p=0.266) and overall survival (94.5% vs 98.1% at 36 months, p=0.307). Ding-VanderWeele analysis suggested minimal influence of unknown confounders on study findings.Robotic kidney transplantation with regional hypothermia was associated with a lower rate of postoperative complications and improved patient comfort in comparison to open kidney transplantation. Graft function, and graft and overall survival were comparable between the 2 techniques.

Objective To predict intra-operative (IOEs) and postoperative events (POEs) consequential to the derailment of the ideal clinical course of patient recovery. Materials and methods The Vattikuti Collective Quality Initiative is a multi-institutional dataset of patients who underwent robot-assisted partial nephectomy for kidney tumours. Machine-learning (ML) models were constructed to predict IOEs and POEs using logistic regression, random forest and neural networks. The models to predict IOEs used patient demographics and preoperative data. In addition to these, intra-operative data were used to predict POEs. Performance on the test dataset was assessed using area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC) and area under the precision-recall curve (PR-AUC). Results The rates of IOEs and POEs were 5.62% and 20.98%, respectively. Models for predicting IOEs were constructed using data from 1690 patients and 38 variables; the best model had an AUC-ROC of 0.858 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.762, 0.936) and a PR-AUC of 0.590 (95% CI 0.400, 0.759). Models for predicting POEs were trained using data from 1406 patients and 59 variables; the best model had an AUC-ROC of 0.875 (95% CI 0.834, 0.913) and a PR-AUC 0.706 (95% CI, 0.610, 0.790). Conclusions The performance of the ML models in the present study was encouraging. Further validation in a multi-institutional clinical setting with larger datasets would be necessary to establish their clinical value. ML models can be used to predict significant events during and after surgery with good accuracy, paving the way for application in clinical practice to predict and intervene at an opportune time to avert complications and improve patient outcomes.

To compare perioperative outcomes following robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) in patients with age ≥ 70 years to age 70 years.Using Vattikuti Collective quality initiative (VCQI) database for RAPN we compared perioperative outcomes following RAPN between the two age groups. Primary outcome of the study was to compare trifecta outcomes between the two groups. Propensity matching using nearest neighbourhood method was performed with trifecta as primary outcome for sex, body mass index (BMI), solitary kidney, tumor size and Renal nephrometery score (RNS).Group A (age ≥ 70 years) included 461 patients whereas group B included 1932 patients. Before matching the two groups were statistically different for RNS and solitary kidney rates. After propensity matching, the two groups were comparable for baselines characteristics such as BMI, tumor size, clinical symptoms, tumor side, face of tumor, solitary kidney and tumor complexity. Among the perioperative outcome parameters there was no difference between two groups for operative time, blood loss, intraoperative transfusion, intraoperative complications, need for radical nephrectomy, positive margins and trifecta rates. Warm ischemia time was significantly longer in the younger age group (18.1 min vs. 16.3 min, p = 0.003). Perioperative complications were significantly higher in the older age group (11.8% vs. 7.7%, p = 0.041). However, there was no difference between the two groups for major complications.RAPN in well-selected elderly patients is associated with comparable trifecta outcomes with acceptable perioperative morbidity.

To compare perioperative outcomes following retroperitoneal robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RPRAPN) and transperitoneal robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (TPRAPN).With this Vattikuti Collective Quality Initiative (VCQI) database, study propensity scores were calculated according to the surgical access (TPRAPN and RPRAPN) for the following independent variables, i.e., age, sex, side of the surgery, RENAL nephrometry scores (RNS), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and serum creatinine. The study's primary outcome was the comparison of trifecta between the two groups.In this study, 309 patients who underwent RPRAPN were matched with 309 patients who underwent TPRAPN. The two groups matched well for age, sex, tumor side, polar location of the tumor, RNS, preoperative creatinine and eGFR. Operative time and warm ischemia time were significantly shorter with RPRAPN. Intraoperative blood loss and need for blood transfusion were lower with RPRAPN. There was a significantly higher number of intraoperative complications with RPRAPN. However, there was no difference in the two groups for postoperative complications. Trifecta outcomes were better with RPRAPN (70.2% vs. 53%, p 0.0001) compared to TPRAPN. We noted no significant change in overall results when controlled for tumor location (anteriorly or posteriorly). The surgical approach, tumor size and RNS were identified as independent predictors of trifecta on multivariate analysis.RPRAPN is associated with superior perioperative outcomes in well-selected patients compared to TPRAPN. However, the data for the retroperitoneal approach were contributed by a few centers with greater experience with this technique, thus limiting the generalizability of the results of this study.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE:Annotating surgical videos is the key step in building computer vision (CV) models to develop real-time surgical tools. Surgical annotation is time intensive and requires...

The technique of robotic kidney transplantation (RKT) under regional hypothermia is being described. It may be performed in all patients requiring kidney transplantation with some relative contraindications. Unlike open transplantation, RKT is a transperitoneal procedure. Patient lies supine with low lithotomy and 15° to 20° reverse Trendelenburg position. Port placement is like standard radical prostatectomy with a multiport device placed at the umbilicus. The graft after harvest needs special care on the bench to ligate all vascular communications and placed in a gauze jacket for easy handling. After transplant bed preparation, the graft is introduced in peritoneal cavity through the umbilical opening and placed over the bladder flap bed with ice slush for hypothermia. End-to-side vascular anastomoses of renal vein and artery are done with the graft lying in pelvic hollow and renal vessels facing laterally to external iliac vessels. After vascular anastomoses, the graft is rotated laterally to iliac fossa to be fixed with preformed peritoneal flap. A stented ureterovesicostomy to the recipient is done using extravesical technique. The external opening for introducing the graft and the robotic port openings is closed after leaving a drain. Postoperative (PO) care and PO immunosuppression are like the open counterpart, except the treatment of drain, which is removed on second PO day. Obese recipients and multiple graft vessels may be handled comfortably during RKT with described techniques. It is important to follow certain checkpoints to avoid bleeding. With graft and patient survival of 95.2% and 94.5%, respectively, RKT outcomes are noninferior to open technique in the published data. The RKT has less incidence of PO pain, wound infection, and symptomatic lymphoceles.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the outcomes of patients in whom cortical (outer) renorrhaphy (CR) was omitted during robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN). METHODS: We analyzed 1453 patients undergoing RPN, from 2006 to 2018, within a large multi-institutional database. Patients having surgery for bilateral tumors (n = 73) were excluded. CR and no-CR groups were compared in terms of operative and ischemia time, estimated blood loss (EBL), complications, surgical margins, hospital stay, change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and need of angioembolization. Inverse probability of treatment weighting with Firth correction for center code was performed to account for selection bias. RESULTS: CR was omitted in 120 patients (8.7%); 1260 (91.3%) patients underwent both inner layer and CR. There was no difference in intraoperative complications (7.4% CR; 8.9% no-CR group; P = .6), postoperative major complications (1% and 2.8% in CR and no-CR groups, respectively; P = .2), or median drop in eGFR (7.3 vs 10.4 mL/min/m2). The no-CR group had a higher incidence of minor complications (26.7% vs 5.5% in CR group; P < .001). EBL was 100 mL (IQR 50-200) in both groups (P = .6). Angioembolization was needed in 0.7% patients in CR vs 1.4% in no-CR group (P = .4). Additionally, there was no difference in median operative time (168 vs 162 min; P = .2) or ischemia time (18 vs 17 min; P = .7). CONCLUSION: In selected patients with renal masses, single layer renorrhaphy does not significantly improve operative time, ischemia time, or eGFR after RPN. There is a higher incidence of minor complications, but not major perioperative complications after no-CR technique.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE:Ureteric stricture is the most common urological complication post transplant(3%), with majority(73%) of them occuringat the distal end. Success rate of primary endo-urol...

Outcomes of surgical procedures can be affected by multiple factors including surgical skill and learning curve (LC). These factors need to be considered for optimal timing of surgical trials. We used the LC cumulative summation (CUSUM) method to describe the number of cases associated with competency of a single surgeon learning the technique of robotic kidney transplantation (RKT).Thirty-three patients underwent Vattikuti Urology Institute technique of RKT at a center that recently adopted this procedure (study group). Anastomoses times and short-term functional outcomes were compared with an established RKT program (reference group). LCs were evaluated using CUSUM analysis using target values from the reference group.Mean ± standard deviation for console time, rewarming time (RWT), arterial anastomosis, venous anastomosis, and ureterovesical anastomosis times for the study group was 187 ± 34.6 minutes, 58.03 ± 17.81 minutes, 19.36 ± 5.91 minutes, 21.97 ± 6.78 minutes, and 22.55 ± 4.24 minutes, respectively, significantly longer than reference group (p 0.001 for all). Mean ± standard deviation for serum creatinine at discharge and 1 month in the study group was 1.43 ± 0.57 mg/dL and 1.23 ± 0.35 mg/dL, respectively, similar to the reference group (p = 0.074 at discharge and p = 0.163 at 1 month). The LC was short, with competence achieved for RWT within 9, proficiency within 16, and mastery within 21 cases. Longer anastomosis times during the LC did not affect graft function.The LC of RKT is short, with improving skill up to 20-25 cases. The procedure is reproducible by surgeons experienced with open transplant and robotic surgery for other procedures, with comparable outcomes and low complication rates at a new center during adoption.

Objectives To analyze the outcomes of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) in patients with a solitary kidney in a large multi-institutional database. Patients and Methods A total of 2755 patients in the Vattikuti Collective Quality Initiative database underwent RAPN by 22 surgeons at 14 centers in nine 9 countries. Out of these patients, 74 underwent RAPN in solitary kidney between 2007 and 2016. A retrospective analysis of the functional and oncological outcomes was performed. Trifecta was defined as a warm ischemia time of less than 20 minutes, negative surgical margins, and no complications intraoperatively or within 3 months of follow up. Results All 74 patients underwent RAPN successfully with one conversion to radical nephrectomy. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) operative time was 180 (142-230) minutes. Early unclamping was used in 11 (14.9%) cases, while zero ischemia was used in 12 (16.2%) cases. Trifecta outcomes were achieved in 38/66 (57.6%) of the patients. Median (IQR) ischemia time was 15.5 (8.75-20.0) minutes for the entire cohort. Overall complication rate was 24.1% and the rate of Clavien-Dindo ≤2 complications was 16.3%. Positive surgical margins were present in four cases (5.4%). Median (IQR) follow-up was 10.5 (2.12-24.0) months. The median drop in estimated glomerular filtration rate at three months was 7.0 ml/min/1.72m2 (11.01%). Conclusion Our findings suggest that RAPN is a safe and effective treatment option for select renal tumors in solitary kidneys in terms of a trifecta of negative surgical margins, warm ischemia time less than 20 minutes, and low operative and perioperative morbidity. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES:The technique of renal reconstruction after robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN) is a modifiable factor with a possible impact on ischemia time, postoperative bleeding, ren...

Introduction: The end-stage renal disease (ESRD) population is increasing worldwide and organ shortage is an important issue. The disparity between the availability of organs and waitlisted patients for transplants has forced many transplant centers across the world to use marginal kidney donors. We assess and compare postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in patients who received a graft from marginal renal donor (MRD) versus those who received a graft from standard renal donor (SRD). Methods: A total of 214 patients with ESRD underwent open live donor renal allografting from September 2015 to September 2017. Out of 214 donors, 165 (77.1%) were SRD and 49 (22.9%) were MRD. Post-transplant eGFR was calculated at 2 months for donors and at days 1, 3, 5, and 7 and month 1, 3, 6, and 12 for recipients. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in eGFR of recipients at preoperative and postoperative period between SRD and MRD groups. Although at 12 months of follow–up eGFR was relatively high in SRD group, it did not show any statistically significant difference. The recipient survival rate at 1-year follow-up was 98.2% in SRD and 100% in MRD group. Conclusions: Renal transplant recipients using MRDs have a comparable glomerular filtration rate to SRDs at the end of 1 year. Short-term outcomes in recipients receiving marginal renal grafts were similar when compared to the allograft from standard donors.

Donor nephrectomy is an extremely challenging procedure. The stakes are high, as two lives-the donor and the recipient-depend on it. Robotic donor nephrectomy has an edge over a laparoscopic approach.

Sacrospinous ligament fixation (SSLF) is a minimally invasive transvaginal procedure for correcting apical prolapse. Amongst perioperative complications, life-threatening hemorrhage has a reported occurrence rate ranging from 0.2 % to 2 %. We present a case of arterial hemorrhage following SSLF and a multispecialty approach to its successful management.The video demonstrates the development of an unexpected progressive postoperative hematoma following left-side sacrospinous hysterocolpopexy via the anterior approach, despite minimal intraoperative bleeding. The mechanism of formation of the hematoma could have been laceration of an aberrant vaginal branch of the inferior vesical artery secondary to pulling the anchor which is tied off at the cervix after closure. To treat these patients effectively, it is essential for the surgeon to make a timely diagnosis, and in our patient, embolization of the inferior vesical artery provided a safe and effective treatment for the pelvic hemorrhage that eliminated the need for an invasive surgical intervention.Life-threatening bleeding is a rare complication of transvaginal SSLF. Pelvic vessel embolization can provide an effective, minimally invasive alternative to surgical re-exploration.

To evaluate retroperitoneal robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) against transperitoneal approach in a multi-institutional prospective database, after accounting for potential selection bias that may affect this comparison.Post-hoc analysis of the prospective arm of the Vattikuti Collective Quality Initiative database from 2014 to 2018. Six hundred and ninety consecutive patients underwent RAPN by 22 surgeons at 14 centers in 9 countries. Patients who had surgery at centers not performing retroperitoneal approach (n = 197) were excluded. Inverse probability of treatment weighting was done to account for potential selection bias by adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, comorbidities, side of surgery, location/size/complexity of tumor, renal function, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, and year of surgery. Operative and perioperative outcomes were compared between weighted transperitoneal and retroperitoneal cohorts.Ninety-nine patients underwent retroperitoneal RAPN; 394 underwent transperitoneal RAPN. Hospital stay in days-median 3.0 (Interquartile range [IQR] 2.0-4.0) transperitoneal vs 1.0 (1.0-3.0) retroperitoneal; P.001, and blood loss in mL-125 (50-250) transperitoneal vs 100 (50-150) retroperitoneal; P = .007-were lower in the retroperitoneal group. There were no differences in operative time (P = .6), warm ischemia time (P = .6), intraoperative complications (P = .99), conversion to radical nephrectomy (P = .6), postoperative major complications (P = .6), positive surgical margins (P = .95), or drop in estimated glomerular filtration rate (P = .7).In a multi-institutional setting, both retroperitoneal and transperitoneal approach to RAPN have comparable operative and perioperative outcomes, except for shorter hospital stay with the retroperitoneal approach.

OBJECTIVE To assess the incidence and factors affecting conversion from robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) to radical nephrectomy. METHODS Between November 2014 and February 2017, 501 patients underwent attempted RAPN by 22 surgeons at 14 centers in 9 countries within the Vattikuti Collaborative Quality Initiative database. Patients were permanently logged for RAPN prior to surgery and were analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. Multivariable logistic regression with backward stepwise selection of variables was done to assess the factors associated with conversion to radical nephrectomy. RESULTS Overall conversion rate was 25 of 501 (5%). Patients converted to radical nephrectomy were older (median age [interquartile range] 66.0 [61.0-74.0] vs 59.0 [50.0-68.0], P = .012), had higher body mass index (BMI) (median 32.8 [24.9-40.9] vs 27.8 [24.6-31.5] kg/m(2), P = .031), higher age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity score (median 6.0 [4.0-7.0] vs 4.0 [3.0-5.0], P < .001), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists score (score = 3; 13/25 (52.0%) vs 130/476 (27.3%), P = .021), Preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (P = .141), clinical tumor stage (P = .145), tumor location (P = .140), multifocality (P = .483), and RENAL (radius, exophytic/endophytic properties, nearness of tumor to the collecting system or sinus in millimeters, and anterior/posterior location relative to polar lines) nephrometry score (P = .125) were not significantly different between the groups. On multivariable analysis, independent predictors for conversion were BMI (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]; 1.070 [1.018-1.124]; P = .007) and Charlson score (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]; 1.459 [1.179-1.806]; P = .001). CONCLUSION RAPN was associated with a low rate of conversion. Independent predictors of conversion were BMI and Charlson score. Tumor factors such as clinical stage, location, multifocality, or RENAL score were not associated with increased risk of conversion. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc.

Introduction: Pelvic lymphadenectomy during radical prostatectomy (RP) improves staging and may provide a therapeutic benefit. However, there is no clear consensus on the selection criteria for subjecting patients to this additional procedure. With a growing adoption of robot assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) in India, it has become imperative to study the incidence and predictive factors for lymph node involvement in our patients. Materials and Methods: From February 2010 to February 2014, 452 RARP procedures were performed at our institution. A total of 100 consecutive patients from July 2011 to August 2012 were additionally subjected to a robotic extended pelvic lymphadenectomy (EPLND). Lymph node positivity rates and lymph node density were analyzed on the basis of preoperative prostate specific antigen (PSA), Gleason score, clinical stage, D'Amico risk category and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. Multivariate analysis was performed to ascertain factors associated with lymph node positivity in our cohort. Results: The mean age of the patients was 65.5 (47-77) years and the body mass index was 26.3 (16.3-38.7) kg/m 2 . The mean console time for EPLND was 45 (32-68) min. A median of 17 (two to 40) lymph nodes were retrieved. Seventeen patients (17%) had positive lymph nodes (median of 1, range 1-6). Median lymph node density in these patients was 10%. When stratified by PSA, Gleason score, clinical stage, D'Amico risk category and features of locally advanced disease on MRI, a trend towards increasing incidence of lymph node positivity was observed, with an increase in adverse factors. However, on multivariate analysis, clinical stage > T2a was the only significant factor impacting lymph node positivity in our cohort. Conclusions: A significant proportion of men undergoing RARP in India have positive lymph nodes on EPLND. While other variables may also have a potential impact, a higher clinical stage predisposes to an increased incidence of lymph node metastases.

Objective A major role in the establishment of computer-assisted robotic surgery (CARS) can be traced to the work of Mani Menon at Vattikuti Urology Institute (VUI), and of many surgeons of Asian origin. The success of robotic surgery in urology has spurred its acceptance in other surgical disciplines, improving patient comfort and disease outcomes and helping the industrial growth. The present paper gives an overview of the progress and development of robotic surgery, especially in the field of Urology; and to underscore some of the seminal work done by the VUI and Asian surgeons in the development of robotic surgery in urology in the US and around the world. Methods PubMed/Medline and Scopus databases were searched for publications from 2000 through June 2014, using algorithms based on keywords “robotic surgery”, ”prostate”, “kidney”, “adrenal”, “bladder”, “reconstruction”, and “kidney transplant”. Inclusion criteria used were published full articles, book chapters, clinical trials, prospective and retrospective series, and systematic reviews/meta-analyses written in English language. Studies from Asian institutions or with the first/senior author of Asian origin were included for discussion, and focused on techniques of robotic surgery, relevant patient outcomes and associated demographic trends. Results A total of 58 articles selected for final review highlight the important strides made by robots in urology, from robotic radical prostatectomy in 2000 to robotic kidney transplant in 2014. In the hands of an experienced robotic surgeon, it has been demonstrated to improve functional patient outcomes and minimize perioperative complications compared to open surgery, especially in urologic oncology and reconstructive urology. With increasing surgeon proficiency, the benefits of robotic surgery were consistently seen across different surgical disciplines, patient populations, and strata. Conclusion The addition of robot to the surgical armamentarium has allowed better patient care and improved disease outcomes. VUI and surgeons of Asian origin have played a pioneering role in dissemination of computer-assisted surgery.

Objectives To evaluate and compare the correlations between Preoperative Aspects and Dimensions Used for an Anatomical (PADUA) and R.E.N.A.L. [Radius (tumour size as maximal diameter), Exophytic/endophytic properties of the tumour, Nearness of tumour deepest portion to the collecting system or sinus, Anterior (a)/posterior (p) descriptor and the Location relative to the polar line] nephrometry scores and perioperative outcomes and postoperative complications in a multicentre, international series of patients undergoing robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) for masses suspicious for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Patients and Methods We retrospectively evaluated the clinical records of patients who underwent RAPN between 2010 and 2013 for clinical N0M0 renal tumours in four international centres that completed all the data required for the Vattikuti Global Quality Initiative in Robotic Urologic Surgery (GQI-RUS) database. All patients underwent preoperative computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging to define the clinical stage and anatomical characteristics of the tumours. PADUA and R.E.N.A.L. scores were retrospectively assessed in each centre. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to evaluate the correlations between age, gender, Charlson comorbidity index, clinical tumour size, PADUA and R.E.N.A.L. complexity group categories and warm ischaemia time (WIT) of >20 min, urinary calyceal system closure, and grade of postoperative complications. Results Overall, 277 patients were evaluated. The median (interquartile range) tumour size was 33.0 (22.0–43.0) mm. The median PADUA and R.E.N.A.L. scores were eight and seven, respectively; 112 (40.4%), 86 (31.0%) and 79 (28.5%) patients were classified in the low-, intermediate- or high-complexity group according to PADUA score, while 118 (42.5%), 139 (50.1%) and 20 (7.2%) were classified in the low-, intermediate- or high-complexity group according to R.E.N.A.L. score, respectively. Both nephrometry tools significantly correlated with perioperative outcomes at univariate and multivariate analyses. Conclusion A precise stratification of patients before PN is recommended to consider both the potential threats and benefits of nephron-sparing surgery. In our present analysis, both PADUA and R.E.N.A.L. were significantly associated with predicting prolonged WIT and high-grade postoperative complications after RAPN.

Introduction: Hilar clamping is often performed to facilitate robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN). Minimal clamping techniques may reduce renal ischemia, including early unclamping, selective clamping, and off-clamp RPN. We assess the utilization of clamping techniques in a large international consortium of surgeons performing RPN for complex tumors. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 721 patients with complex tumors, who underwent RPN at 11 centers worldwide between 2008 and 2014. Complex tumors were defined as renal masses with a nephrometry score > 6. Total clamping was defined as complete clamping of the main renal artery. Minimal clamping techniques included early unclamping, selective clamping, and off-clamp RPN. Clamping techniques were additionally assessed in patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 and in patients with a solitary kidney. Two-tailed t-tests (p < 0.05) were used to statistically analyze differences in mean warm ischemia time (WIT). Results: Most patients underwent complete clamping (75.1%). Minimal clamping (24.9%) included early unclamping (10.8%), selective clamping (8.7%), and off-clamp (5.4%). Mean WIT of total clamping, selective clamping, and early unclamping was 22.2, 21.2, and 17.3 minutes, respectively. Of patients with an eGFR < 60 (n = 90), 26.6% underwent minimal clamping, including 15.5% early unclamping, 4.4% selective clamping, and 6.7% off-clamp. Of patients with solitary kidneys (n = 12), 10 (83%) were performed with total clamping with mean WIT of 14.9 minutes. Conclusions: In this large international series of RPN for complex tumors, most patients underwent total clamping of the main renal artery. Minimal clamping techniques, including early unclamping, selective clamping, and off-clamp techniques, were used in a minority of cases. There was no significant increase in use of minimal clamping, even in patients with chronic kidney disease or solitary kidneys. However, mean WIT was low (< 23 minutes) in all patient groups.

We present our experience with robotic radical prostatectomy and analyse the predictors for extracapsular extension (EPE) in a cohort of Indian patients. Four hundred fifty-three patients underwent robotic radical prostatectomy from May 2010 to October 2015. Post hoc analysis of prospectively maintained data was done. Multivariable regression analysis was used on variables which had significant association with EPE on univariable analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted for the independent predictors of EPE. Mean age was 64.62 ± 6.44 years. Mean BMI 26.03 ± 4.01 kg/m(2). Median prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was 13.38 ng/ml (IQR 8.1–23.5). Seventy-seven (16.99%) patients had Gleason >7. Mean core positivity (percentage of cores positive) was 48,93 ± 27.29% and mean maximum percentage of tumour in a core was 33,04 ± 31.16%. Positive surgical margins were present in 141/453 (31.15%). Lymph nodes were positive in 21.2% of those who had nodes removed (77/364). Maximum cancer in a core (p

Introduction For the treatment of patients with end-stage renal disease, kidney transplantation is preferred to renal replacement modalities such as hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Although open surgery remains the gold standard, minimally invasive approaches have recently been applied in transplant kidney surgery. Despite growing enthusiasm and potential benefits of robotic kidney transplant, many aspects of this novel technique remain controversial. Aim of this study was to analyze the current status and future developments in robotic-assisted surgery for kidney transplantation. Evidence acquisition A systematic PubMed search for peer-reviewed studies was performed using keywords such as "Minimally invasive surgery" or "Robotic" or "Robot assisted" AND "Kidney transplantation". Eligible articles were reviewed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) criteria. Evidence synthesis Eleven studies evaluated reported the feasibility, safety, and reproducibility of robotic kidney transplantation using either a transperitoneal or an extraperitoneal approach. The graft kidney is usually introduced via a periumbilical or Gibson incision. The functional outcomes of the robotic approach are equivalent to those of open kidney transplantation in terms of mean serum creatinine at 6 month and delayed graft function. The benefits of robotic kidney transplantation include easier vascular anastomosis, better cosmetic results, and a lower complication rate, including in the obese population. Many concerns remain over the potential impairment of graft function due to pneumoperitoneum and warm ischemia and the technical difficulties related to the vascular anastomosis. Refinement of the robotic tactile feedback and development of a cold ischemia device may lead to further improvement in this novel technique. Conclusions Robotic surgery allows kidney transplantation to be performed under optimal operative conditions, reducing complications while maintaining the functional results achieved by the open approach. The evolution of this technique is in progress.

Following recently published EAU Policy on Live Surgical Events (LSE's) it is assured that live surgery will be ongoing at conferences in the immediate future. However, the panel reached >80% consensus view that performing at a home institution may be safer. The committee also identified issues with a ‘travelling surgeon’ performing complex surgery in an unfamiliar environment with a surgical team that is not experienced with the intricacies of surgeons techniques. LSE's from home institutions remove or minimize these negative aspects.

Context: Various minimally invasive techniques – laparoscopic, endoscopic or combinations of both - have been described to handle the lower ureter during laparoscopic nephroureterectomy but none has received wide acceptance. Aims: We describe an endoscopic technique for the management of lower end of ureter during laparoscopic nephroureterectomy using a single suprapubic laparoscopic port. Materials and Methods: Transurethral resectoscope is used to make a full thickness incision in the bladder cuff around the ureteric orifice from 1 o’clock to 11 o’clock. A grasper inserted through the transvesical suprapubic port is used to retract the ureter to complete the incision in the bladder cuff overlying the anterior aspect of the ureteric orifice. The lower end of ureter is subsequently sealed with a clip applied through the port. This is followed by a laparoscopic nephrectomy and the specimen is removed by extending the suprapubic port incision. Our technique enables dissection and control of lower end of ureter under direct vision. Moreover, surgical occlusion of the lower end of the ureter prior to dissection of the kidney may decrease cell spillage. The clip also serves as a marker for complete removal of the specimen. Results: Three patients have undergone this procedure with an average follow up of 19 months. Operative time for the management of lower ureter has been 35, 55 and 40 minutes respectively. A single recurrence was detected on the opposite bladder wall after 9 months via a surveillance cystoscopy. There has been no residual disease or any other locoregional recurrence. Conclusions: The described technique for management of lower end of ureter during laparoscopic nephroureterectomy adheres to strict oncologic principles while providing the benefit of a minimally invasive approach.

Despite excellent results, widespread acceptance of the laparoscopic dismembered Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasty (AH) is hampered by its steep learning curve. Laparoscopic nondismembered pyeloplasty techniques, although simpler, have not matched the results of AH. We have been using a technical modification of AH to combine its excellent outcome with technical ease of nondismembered pyeloplasties. We describe the procedure and results of laparoscopic postanastomotic dismemberment (PAD) pyeloplasty for primary ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction.PAD technique involves an initial partial division of the dilated pelvis and ureteral spatulation without dismembering the UPJ. Both layers of ureteropelvic anastomosis are completed before dismemberment and pelvic reduction. Forty-one PAD procedures in 40 patients with UPJ obstruction and follow-up of at least 3 months were evaluated. Mean age was 37.2 years (range 2-82 years) with 22 patients younger than 15 years. The UPJ was dependent in 31 and had high insertion in 10 (24.4%). The stenotic segment was long (or =1.5 cm) in 18 (43.9%). Crossing vessels and secondary calculi were observed in six (14.6%) and seven (17.1%) units.Mean (+/- SD) blood loss, hospital stay, convalescence, and analgesia requirement were 68.1 +/- 37.6 mL, 3.8 +/- 1.1 days, 11.4 +/- 3.9 days, and 204.8 +/- 60.5 mg diclofenac, respectively. The mean operative time was 97.6 +/- 22.1 minutes. There was one intraoperative complication in the form of injury to a renal vein tributary, with no transfusions or conversions. Postoperative complications included pain after stent removal, persistent drainage, and pyelonephritis in 1, 2, and 4 patients, respectively. Mean follow-up was 19.5 months (range 3-58 months), with a success rate of 95.1%. Failures were not attributable to UPJ configuration, length of stenosis, or age.The PAD technique has several practical advantages with a shorter operative time compared with other historical series of laparoscopic pyeloplasty (LP). It combines the ease of nondismembered LP with the excellent outcome of dismembered techniques.

Objective To evaluate the outcomes of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) in cystic tumours, analysing a large, multi-institutional, retrospective series of RAPN, as limited data are available about the outcome of RAPN in cystic tumours. Patients and Methods We evaluated 465 patients who received RAPN for either cystic or solid tumours from 2010 to 2013 and included in the multi-institutional, retrospective Vattikuti Global Quality Initiative in Robotic Urologic Surgery (GQI-RUS) database. Univariable and multivariable linear and logistic regression models addressed the association of cystic tumours with perioperative outcomes. Results In all, 54 (12%) tumours were cystic. Cystic tumours were associated with significantly lower operative time (t −3.9; P < 0.001), once adjusted for the effect of covariates, whereas blood loss and warm ischaemia time were similar. Postoperative any grade complications were recorded in 66 solid (16%) and nine cystic (17%) tumours (P = 0.08). In multivariable analysis, cystic tumours were not associated with a significantly lower risk of any grade postoperative complications [odds ratio (OR) 0.9; P = 0.8]. Similarly, presence of tumours with cystic features was not associated with a significantly different risk of high-grade postoperative complications (OR 2.2; P = 0.1). Prevalence of cancer histology and positive surgical margin rates were similar in cystic and solid tumours. Cystic tumours were not associated with significantly different postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (t 0.4; P = 0.7), once adjusted for the effect of covariates. Conclusions RAPN can be performed in cystic renal tumours with perioperative, pathological, and functional outcomes similar to those achievable in solid tumours.

Objective To describe a novel and reproducible technique of robotic kidney transplantation (RKT) that requires no repositioning, and permits intraoperative regional hypothermia. Patients and Methods A GelPOINT™ (Applied Medical, Santa Ranchero, CA, USA) access port was used for delivery of ice-slush and introduction of the graft kidney. The new RKT technique using ice-slush has been performed in 39 patients. Results At a mean follow-up of 3 months all of the grafts functioned. There was a marked reduction in pain and analgesic requirement compared with patients undergoing open KT, with a propensity towards quicker graft recovery and lower complication rate. Conclusion RKT has been shown to be safe and feasible in patients undergoing living-donor related KT. A prospective trial is underway to assess outcomes definitively.

Objectives To explore the views of experts about the development and validation of a robotic surgery training curriculum, and how this should be implemented. Materials and methods An international expert panel was invited to a structured session for discussion. The study was of a mixed design, including qualitative and quantitative components based on focus group interviews during the European Association of Urology (EAU) Robotic Urology Section (ERUS) (2012), EAU (2013) and ERUS (2013) meetings. After introduction to the aims, principles and current status of the curriculum development, group responses were elicited. After content analysis of recorded interviews generated themes were discussed at the second meeting, where consensus was achieved on each theme. This discussion also underwent content analysis, and was used to draft a curriculum proposal. At the third meeting, a quantitative questionnaire about this curriculum was disseminated to attendees to assess the level of agreement with the key points. Results In all, 150 min (19 pages) of the focus group discussion was transcribed (21 316 words). Themes were agreed by two raters (median agreement kappa 0.89) and they included: need for a training curriculum (inter-rater agreement kappa 0.85); identification of learning needs (kappa 0.83); development of the curriculum contents (kappa 0.81); an overview of available curricula (kappa 0.79); settings for robotic surgery training ((kappa 0.89); assessment and training of trainers (kappa 0.92); requirements for certification and patient safety (kappa 0.83); and need for a universally standardised curriculum (kappa 0.78). A training curriculum was proposed based on the above discussions. Conclusion This group proposes a multi-step curriculum for robotic training. Studies are in process to validate the effectiveness of the curriculum and to assess transfer of skills to the operating room.