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Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have NO affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

Objectives: Clinical trials (CTs) are critical in understanding and managing cancer. However, despite being completed, CT results are often unpublished, compromising the ability to glean useful information from them. This study aimed to evaluate factors influencing the non-publication of urological oncology clinical trials., Methodology: We conducted a comprehensive search of ClinicalTrials.gov to identify CTs focused on urological cancers completed between 2000 and 2020. We used the National Clinical Trial (NCT) identifier number to check whether the trial was published., Results: 9,145 oncology CTs were conducted between 2000 and 2020, of which 8.39% (n = 767) focused on urological cancers, and 47.2% (n = 362) of these trials remained unpublished. Univariable analysis revealed that trials with a sample size of less than 50 and phase 4 were significantly associated with non-publication p < 0.001. In contrast, trials involving triple masking, a higher number of agents, and those conducted in High-Income Countries were associated with a higher likelihood of publication p < 0.05. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that trials enrolling more than 50 patients and employing three or more agents, along with triple and quadruple masking, had higher odds of being published (OR = 1.62; 95%CI (1.22-2.16), 1.89; 95%CI (1.10-3.27), 3.04; 95%CI (1.44-6.44), 5.62; 95%CI (1.72-18.37), and 5.41; 95%CI (1.76-16.67), p < 0.05, respectively). However, trials conducted in low-middle-income Countries had lower odds of publication (OR = 0.26; 95%CI (0.08-0.87), p = 0.02)., Conclusion: We found that almost one-half (47.2%) of all completed urologic oncology clinical trials are not published in a PubMed-indexed journal. This non-publication rate represents a significant loss of scientific knowledge and progress. We identified several key variables including sample size., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: The duplex kidney is one of the common congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract. We present two cases of renal tumor accompanied with ipsilateral duplex kidney. The image of the tumor, renal artery system and collecting system were rendered by AI software (Fujifilm's Synapse ® AI Platform) to support the diagnosis and surgical planning., Case Presentation: Two Vietnamese patients (a 45-year-old man and a 54-year-old woman) with incidental cT1 renal cell carcinoma (RCC) were confirmed to have ipsilateral duplex kidneys by 3D reconstruction AI technique. One patient had a Renal score 9ah tumor of left kidney while the other had a Renal score 9 × tumor of right kidney in which a preoperative CT scan failed to identify a diagnosis of duplex kidney. Using the Da Vinci platform, we successfully performed robotic partial nephrectomy without any damage to the collecting system in both cases., Conclusion: RCC with duplex kidneys is a rare condition. By utilizing a novel AI reconstruction technique with adequate information, two patients with RCC in duplex kidneys were successfully performed robotic partial nephrectomy without complication., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), an incretin hormone renowned for its role in post-meal blood sugar regulation and glucose-dependent insulin secretion, has gained attention as a novel treatment for diabetes through GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1-RA). Despite their efficacy, concerns have been raised regarding the potential associations between GLP-1-RA and certain malignancies, including medullary thyroid cancer. However, evidence of its association with prostate cancer (PCa) remains inconclusive. This review delves into the intricate relationship between GLP-1-RA and PCa, exploring the mechanisms through which GLP-1-Rs may impact PCa cells. We discuss the potential pathways involving cAMP, ERK, AMPK, mTOR, and P27. Furthermore, we underscore the imperative for additional research to elucidate the impact of GLP-1-RA treatment on PCa progression, patient outcomes, and potential interactions with existing therapies. Translational studies and clinical trials are crucial for a comprehensive understanding of the role of GLP-1-RA in PCa management.

Introduction: Surgical training programs are pivotal in shaping skilled and compassionate surgeons, with mentors playing a crucial role in instilling clinical competence and essential attributes. This study aims to describe the characteristics of the program directors of Endourological Society-accredited fellowship programs. Methodology: The Endourological Society's website was used to identify program directors. The following data points were extracted: year of graduation from medical school, year of completing residency, if they had attended fellowship training or held additional degrees such as (PhD, MS, MBA, MSc, etc.), and number of publications on Scopus. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Results: A total of 84 fellowship programs and 115 program directors were identified. Geographically, 77.4% ( n  = 65) were in North America, 8.3% ( n  = 7) in Asia, 8.3% ( n  = 7) in the Middle East, 3.6% ( n  = 3) in Europe, and 2.4% ( n  = 2) in South America. Of the 115 program directors, 94.8% were male, and only 5.2% were female. Program directors graduated medical school with a median year of 1998 (1966-2015). Eighty percent attended fellowship programs, and 19.1% held additional degrees (PhD, MS, MBA, MSc, etc.). The median number of publications was 79 (4-1963), with a median citation of 1607 (1-43,565). The median H-index was 23 (range: 1-110). Conclusion: Most program directors of Endourological Society-accredited fellowship programs are fellowship-trained and a notable number held a second degree. However, a pronounced gender disparity is observed, with limited female representation among program directors. This assessment contributes valuable insights into the urology and endourology mentorship, emphasizing the need for broader diversity and inclusivity in leadership roles.

Background: Over the past 2 decades, there has been a growing interest in the significance of gender roles in healthcare and several efforts and initiatives have focused on increasing female representation in the medical field. Clinical trials play a very important role in shaping medical practice; moreover, the leaders of clinical trials often represent the upper echelon of researchers in any designated field. Presently, there is no data regarding women's representation in urological oncology clinical trials leadership. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the extent of female representation in leading urological clinical trials., Methodology: To thoroughly examine the representation of females as principal investigators (PIs) in urological cancer clinical trials between 2000 and 2020, we conducted a comprehensive search of completed trials focused on kidney, prostate, and bladder cancer on ClinicalTrials.gov. We extracted relevant information regarding the PIs and analyzed the data using univariate analyses to identify any significant differences between male and female PIs., Results: A total of 9145 cancer clinical trials were conducted over the last 2 decades, and 11.3% (n = 1033) of them were urological cancer clinical trials. We were able to obtain detailed information about the principal investigators (PI) in 79.0% (n = 816) of the clinical trials, and we found that 16.8% (n = 137) of them were led by female investigators. Upon evaluating the characteristics of the PIs, female PIs had a significantly lower median age and median total citations as compared to male PIs (55.0 vs 59.0 and 5333 vs 7902; p-value < 0.001 and 0.006, respectively). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the termination rate, publication rate, funding source, cancer type, and the subject of conducting the clinical trials between male and female PIs., Conclusion: Between 2000 and 2020, only 16.8% of urological cancer clinical trials were led by a female PI, perhaps reflective of a low percentage of senior female researchers in the fields of urology, oncology and radiation oncology. Universities, research institutes and funding agencies should work to improve mentorship, representation and opportunities for female investigators to encourage more involvement for female researchers in these clinical trials., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: Several centers have reported their experience with single-port robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (SP-RAPN); however, it is uncertain if utilization of this platform represents an improvement in outcomes compared to multiport robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (MP-RAPN). To evaluate this, we performed a meta-analysis to compare the perioperative, oncological, and functional outcomes between SP-RAPN and MP-RAPN. Methods: For relevant articles, three electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, were searched from their inception until January 1, 2023. A meta-analysis has been reported in line with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 and assessing the methodological quality of systematic reviews (AMSTAR) guidelines. The odds ratio (OR) and weighted mean difference (MD) were applied for the comparison of dichotomous and continuous variables with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Of the 374 retrieved abstracts, 29 underwent full-text review, and 8 studies were included in the final analysis, comprising a total cohort of 1007 cases of RAPN (453 SP-RAPN cases and 554 MP-RAPN cases). Compared to MP-RAPN, the SP-RAPN group had a significantly longer ischemia time (MD = 4.6 minutes, 95% CI 2.8 to 6.3, p  < 0.001), less estimated blood loss (MD = -12.4 mL, 95% CI -24.6 to -0.3, p  = 0.045), higher blood transfusion rate (OR = 2.97, 95% CI 1.33 to 6.65, p  = 0.008), and higher postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at 6 months (MD = 4.9 mL/min, 95% CI 0.2 to 9.7, p  = 0.04). There was no significant difference in other outcomes between the two approaches, including the intraoperative complication, overall postoperative complication, minor postoperative complication (Clavien-Dindo I - II), major postoperative complication (Clavien-Dindo III-V), conversion to radical nephrectomy, pain score on day #1, pain score on discharge, morphine milligram equivalent usage, hospital stay, positive surgical margins, and postoperative eGFR. Conclusions: SP-RAPN represents an emerging technique using a novel platform. Initial studies have demonstrated that SP-RAPN is a safe and feasible approach to performing partial nephrectomy, although with inferior outcomes for ischemia time and blood transfusion rates. Further studies will be necessary to define the best usage of SP-RAPN within the surgeon's armamentarium.

Mullerianosis is a rare, complex, benign tumor most commonly found in the bladder and often mistaken for a neoplastic lesion.  Herein, we report a case of mullerianosis in a 65-year-old woman who presented with an incidental 2 cm bladder mass found on cross-sectional imaging.  A mixed cystic and solid tumor was identified on cystoscopy and a transurethral resection of the suspected tumor was performed with histopathology confirming a final diagnosis of mullerianosis.  While an unusual diagnosis, mullerianosis of the urinary bladder needs to be correctly identified to provide appropriate treatment and avoid misdiagnosis.

Introduction: In this case report, we demonstrate our technique of a retroperitoneal laparoscopic heminephrectomy for a T1b right hilar tumor in a horseshoe kidney., Case Presentation: A 77-year-old Vietnamese woman presented to the hospital because of right flank pain. On presentation, her serum creatinine was 0.86 mg/dL and glomerular filtration rate was 65.2 mL/minute/1.73 m 2 . According to her renal scintigraphy, glomerular filtration rates of the right and left moieties were 24.2 and 35.5 mL/minute, respectively. Computed tomography imaging demonstrated a 5.5 × 5.0 cm solid hilar mass with a cT1bN0M0 tumor stage was in the right moiety. After discussion, the patient elected a minimally invasive surgery to treat her malignancy. The patient was placed in a flank position. We used Gaur's balloon technique to create the retroperitoneal working space, and four trocar ports were planned for operation. Three arteries were dissected, including two arteries feeding the right moiety, one artery feeding the isthmus, and one vein, which was clipped and divided by Hem-o-lok. The isthmusectomy was performed with an Endostapler. Consequently, the ureter was clipped and divided. Finally, the whole right segment of the horseshoe kidney was mobilized and taken out via the flank incision., Results: The total operative time was 250 min with an estimated blood loss of 200 mL. The patient's serum creatinine after surgery was 1.08 mg/dL, and glomerular filtration rate was 49.47 mL/minute/1.73 m 2 . The patient was discharged on postoperative day #4 without complication. Final pathologic examination of the tumor specimen revealed a Fuhrman grade II clear cell renal cell carcinoma, capsular invasion, with negative surgical margins. After a three-month follow-up, the serum creatinine was 0.95 mg/dL, and glomerular filtration rate was 57.7 mL/minute/1.73 m 2 . Local recurrence or metastasis was not detected by follow-up computed tomography imaging., Conclusions: Retroperitoneal laparoscopic heminephrectomy is a safe and feasible technique for patients with renal cell carcinoma in a horseshoe kidney and may be particularly useful in low income settings without access to robotic technology., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Objective: To compare the perioperative, oncological, and functional outcomes between single-port robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (SP-RARP) and multiport robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (MP-RARP) via a meta-analysis., Methods: For relevant articles, three electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, were searched from their inception until January 15, 2022. A meta-analysis has been reported in line with PRISMA 2020 and AMSTAR Guidelines. The risk ratio and weighted mean difference (MD) were applied for the comparison of dichotomous and continuous variables with 95% confidence intervals (CI)., Results: Of the 368 retrieved abstracts, 41 underwent full-text review, and seven studies were included in the final analysis, comprising a total cohort of 1,934 cases of RARP (355 SP-RARP cases and 1,579 MP-RARP cases). Compared to MP-RARP, the SP-RARP group had less postoperative pain score (MD = -0.7, 95% CI -1 to -0.4, P <0.001), morphine milligram equivalents usage (MD = -3.8, 95% CI -7.5 to -0.1, P =0.04), hospital stay (MD = -1, 95% CI -1.8 to -0.1, P =0.019), and urinary catheterization time (MD = -1.1, 95% CI -1.9 to -0.3, P =0.008). However, the SP-RARP group had a longer console time than the MP-RARP group (MD = 5.3, 95% CI 2.6 to 7.9, P <0.001)., Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that early results were mostly equivalent with the single-port approach. This technology may help to reduce the hospital stay and postoperative pain for patients undergoing radical prostatectomy compared to MP-RARP, without compromising the functional and early oncological outcomes., (© 2023 The Asian Pacific Prostate Society. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Since May 2022, there has been a worldwide outbreak of Mpox infection, a zoonotic viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus, outside of central and west Africa where it is endemic. In this report, we describe a case of a 23-year-old African American male patient with HIV infection and normal CD4 counts who presented with painful, evolving skin lesions at the base of his penis which were found to be a manifestation of Mpox. Early recognition of the symptomatology caused by Mpox is important for urologists as cases of this virus continue to rise in the United States., Competing Interests: No conflict of interest or financial disclosures among the contributing authors., (© 2023 Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: Postoperative urinary incontinence after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) represents a bothersome side effect, which may permanently affect patient's quality of life. Several studies have demonstrated that obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is associated with urinary symptoms such as urge incontinence, overactive bladder, and nocturia. In this study, we sought to further explore the effect of OSAS on urinary continence after RARP. Methods: We queried our prospectively collected institutional RARP database and identified 82 patients with OSAS and 131 controls, which were matched for age and body mass index (BMI), with available follow-up data for continence. To minimize selection bias, we conducted a propensity score-matched analysis. Patient's characteristics and urinary continence outcomes were compared between the two groups before and after propensity-score matching. Kaplan-Meier curves were constructed to assess the difference in continence between the two groups. Results are presented as means with standard deviations and percentages with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: A total of 213 patients were included in the analysis, of whom 82 with OSAS and 131 with non-OSAS (control group). The mean age of the total cohort was 61.7 ± 6.96 years, the mean BMI was 30.4 ± 5.36, and 52% of the cohort were classified as obese (BMI ≥30). In post-propensity score-matched analyses, there was no significant difference in baseline demographics and tumor characteristics between the two groups (included 82 cases in each group). The median time to continence was 6.6 months for the control group as compared with 13.0 months for the OSAS group ( p  < 0.001). At 12 months the continence rate for the OSAS group was 41.2% (95% CI: 28.9%-51.4%) as compared with 61.7% (95% CI: 28.5%-71.5%) for the control group. At 24 months the continence rate for the OSAS group was 68.7% (95% CI: 56%-77.7%) as compared with 90.8% (95% CI: 79%-96%) for the control group. Conclusion: On matched analysis, we found that patients with OSAS tended to demonstrate worse urinary continence recovery as compared with patients without OSAS. Additional investigation will be necessary to confirm these initial findings.

Purpose: Compared with people living without HIV (PWOH), people living with HIV (PWH) and cancer have traditionally been excluded from immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) trials. Furthermore, there is a paucity of real-world data on the use of ICIs in PWH and cancer., Methods: This retrospective study included PWH treated with anti-PD-1- or anti-PD-L1-based therapies for advanced cancers. Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Objective response rates (ORRs) were measured per RECIST 1.1 or other tumor-specific criteria, whenever feasible. Restricted mean survival time (RMST) was used to compare OS and PFS between matched PWH and PWOH with metastatic NSCLC (mNSCLC)., Results: Among 390 PWH, median age was 58 years, 85% (n = 331) were males, 36% (n = 138) were Black; 70% (n = 274) received anti-PD-1/anti-PD-L1 monotherapy. Most common cancers were NSCLC (28%, n = 111), hepatocellular carcinoma ([HCC]; 11%, n = 44), and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC; 10%, n = 39). Seventy percent (152/216) had CD4+ T cell counts ≥200 cells/µL, and 94% (179/190) had HIV viral load <400 copies/mL. Twenty percent (79/390) had any grade immune-related adverse events (irAEs) and 7.7% (30/390) had grade ≥3 irAEs. ORRs were 69% (nonmelanoma skin cancer), 31% (NSCLC), 16% (HCC), and 11% (HNSCC). In the matched mNSCLC cohort (61 PWH v 110 PWOH), 20% (12/61) PWH and 22% (24/110) PWOH had irAEs. Adjusted 42-month RMST difference was -0.06 months (95% CI, -5.49 to 5.37; P = .98) for PFS and 2.23 months (95% CI, -4.02 to 8.48; P = .48) for OS., Conclusion: Among PWH, ICIs demonstrated differential activity across cancer types with no excess toxicity. Safety and activity of ICIs were similar between matched cohorts of PWH and PWOH with mNSCLC.

Gout is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperuricemia and deposition of monosodium urate crystals in the joint spaces and other extraarticular locations. We report the case of a 40-year-old male who presented for consultation regarding gouty tophi on the phallus, an unusual location for tophi deposition, which was resolved with surgical removal. We provide a brief review of the pathophysiology of gout and its treatment modalities, both medical and surgical., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (© 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Objective: The da Vinci single-port (SP) platform represents the latest innovation in minimally invasive urologic surgery, and the adoption of this technology by urologists is increasing. In this article, we briefly describe the evolution of minimally invasive and single-site surgery, and offer a comprehensive review of the current literature on the SP platform. Materials and Methods: For relevant articles, three electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, were searched from their inception until August 15, 2022. The published literature to date within SP robotic surgery in urology will be discussed. Evidence Synthesis: There are relatively few high-quality studies on the SP system, but there are multiple case series describing unique indications and surgical approaches with the SP robot, demonstrating safety and feasibility in the hands of experienced robotic surgeons. There also are an increasing number of prospective, larger cohort studies comparing outcomes between SP and multiport (MP) approaches that show benefits of the SP system regarding improved cosmesis, postoperative pain control, and decreased length of stay. Conclusions: Multiple prospective studies have shown benefits regarding cost and pain control for SP platform procedures compared to the traditional MP robotic approach. While its high cost and learning curve represent barriers to adoption, the SP platform represents a critical development in minimally invasive surgery. As this technology is further implemented at more institutions, long-term, high-quality data should accrue that will demonstrate its true value.

Purpose of Review: To evaluate recent literature regarding the pathways and options for unmatched urology applicants., Recent Findings: Urology remains a competitive surgical sub-specialty with a match process independent of the National Resident Matching Program. Each year a cohort of competitive applicants go unmatched and are faced with the decision to reapply the following cycle while doing a research fellowship or a preliminary internship in the interim or choose a different specialty altogether. In this review, we sought to evaluate the current match process and literature regarding outcomes and options for unmatched applicants as well as to provide future directions for research and improvements to support unmatched urology applicants. Presently, data regarding outcomes for unmatched applicants is relatively limited. Going forward it is imperative for national urology organizations to create centralized resources for applicants to provide the best possible information for applicants and mentors alike., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Purpose: Vitamin D metabolites may be protective against prostate cancer (PCa). We conducted a cross-sectional analysis to evaluate associations between in vivo vitamin D status, genetic ancestry, and degree of apoptosis using prostatic epithelial terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining., Experimental Design: Benign and tumor epithelial punch biopsies of participants with clinically localized PCa underwent indirect TUNEL staining. Serum levels of 25 hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D were assessed immediately before radical prostatectomy; levels of prostatic 25(OH)D were obtained from the specimen once the prostate was extracted. Ancestry informative markers were used to estimate the percentage of genetic West African, Native American, and European ancestry., Results: One hundred twenty-one newly diagnosed men, age 40-79, were enrolled between 2013 and 2018. Serum 25(OH)D correlated positively with both tumor (ρ = 0.17, p = 0.03), and benign (ρ = 0.16, p = 0.04) prostatic epithelial TUNEL staining. Similarly, prostatic 25(OH)D correlated positively with both tumor (ρ = 0.31, p < 0.001) and benign (ρ = 0.20, p = 0.03) epithelial TUNEL staining. Only Native American ancestry was positively correlated with tumor (ρ = 0.22, p = 0.05) and benign (ρ = 0.27, p = 0.02) TUNEL staining. In multivariate regression models, increasing quartiles of prostatic 25(OH)D (β = 0.25, p = 0.04) and Native American ancestry (β = 0.327, p = 0.004) were independently associated with tumor TUNEL staining., Conclusions: Physiologic serum and prostatic 25(OH)D levels and Native American ancestry are positively associated with the degree of apoptosis in tumor and benign prostatic epithelium in clinically localized PCa. Vitamin D may have secondary chemoprevention benefits in preventing PCa progression in localized disease., (© 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Purpose of Review: To evaluate recent literature regarding the role of robotic technology in the treatment of nephrolithiasis with particular attention to complex technical procedures., Recent Findings: Robotic platforms including single-port robotics have been widely adopted in urological practice for the treatment of both malignant and benign conditions and has led to an expansion of the utilization of robot-assisted surgery to tackle challenging clinical scenarios such as bladder neck reconstruction, upper urinary tract reconstruction, and more recently complex stone disease. Presently, the American Urological Association guidelines on the surgical management of stones advise against using robotic, open, or laparoscopic techniques as a first-line approach for most patients with stone disease with the exception for patients with anatomical abnormalities, large or complex stones, or patients requiring a concomitant reconstructive operation. Clinicians have demonstrated the safety and feasibility of surgical robotics in the treatment of stone disease for a variety of operations including robotic pyeloplasty, pyelolithotomy, ureterolithotomy, and surgical interventions in urinary diversions as well as novel technologies for robotic ureteroscopy and percutaneous access. Numerous clinicians have demonstrated the safety and feasibility of using robot-assisted surgery to treat nephrolithiasis, mainly in complex renal anatomy. Further research is necessary to identify the best candidates for utilization of robotics in complex stone disease, and further technological developments will continue to further advance the use of these platforms in the treatment of nephrolithiasis., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Objective: To determine the outcomes and eventual career paths for unmatched applicants by evaluating a historical cohort of unmatched applicants in the Urology Match., Methods: The 2008-2014 AUA Match lists were obtained from the Society of Academic Urologists and 730 unique applicants were identified with at least one unmatched result. Additional information such as preliminary training and eventual specialty choice were obtained from publicly available sources. Comparative analysis with univariable and multivariable analysis was performed between eventual urologists and those who chose alternative career paths., Results: Overall, 43.5% (318/730) of unmatched urology applicants subsequently continued their interest in Urology and 77.4% (246/317) of initially unsuccessful applicants eventually became urologists. Males (80.9%, P = .01), Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) degree (62.5%, P = <.001), and those undergoing a research year compared to a preliminary surgery year (85.2% vs 72.0% respectively, P = .047) had an increased likelihood of successfully becoming a urologist. The most common alternative specialty choices were Internal Medicine (13.8%), General Surgery (12.9%) and Anesthesiology (11.9%)., Conclusion: Urology is a competitive surgical sub-specialty. Surprisingly, approximately 3 in 4 unmatched urology applicants who continue their interest in urology will eventually obtain a residency position. However, only 33.7% of initially unmatched students ultimately became urologists. Unmatched applicants have several viable pathways to obtain a urological residency position. Male gender, a DO degree, and a research year are associated with successfully obtaining a urology residency position., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To assess alterations in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with nephrolithiasis, given the limited prospective data on patient reported outcomes following surgical intervention with ureteroscopy., Methods: Adults with either a renal or ureteral calculus who underwent ureteroscopy (URS) were recruited prospectively from 2017-2020. Participants completed the PROMIS-29 profile which measures the dimensions of physical function, fatigue, pain interference, depressive symptoms, anxiety, ability to participate in social roles and activities, and sleep disturbance at enrollment, 1-, 6-, and 12-months. Scores are reported as T-scores (normalized to US-population) and were compared at each time point against the mean for the US-population (50) using one-sample Welch's t'test and between each pairwise time point comparison using a Wilcoxon signed rank test., Results: At enrollment, a total of 69 participants completed the PROMIS-29 survey. As compared to the US-population mean, participants at enrollment had significantly different scores in physical function, fatigue, pain interference, depressive symptoms, anxiety, and sleep disturbance (all P<.05), but not ability to participate in social roles and activities. In pairwise comparisons, improvement was only observed from enrollment to 1-month in pain interference (P<.01) and fatigue (P = .03). However, there was improvement at a longer interval from enrollment to 12-months in all dimensions (pairwise comparisons, all P<.05) except depressive symptoms., Conclusion: The PROMIS-29 profile is responsive to changes in HRQOL for patients with nephrolithiasis undergoing URS, with improvement of PROMIS scores up to 12-months. This information can be utilized for patient counseling to guide expectations during the recovery period., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy represents one of the most common operations in urologic oncology and involves several critical technical steps including pelvic lymph node dissection, cavernous nerve sparing and vesicourethral anastomosis. The quality of performing these steps is linked to functional and oncological outcomes. Indocyanine green [ICG] is a non-radioactive, water-soluble compound which allows for enhanced visualization with near-infrared fluorescence of both anatomical structures and vasculature during complex abdominal operations such as prostatectomy. During the last decade, several investigators have examined the value and role of ICG fluorescence during prostatectomy. In this review, we sought to evaluate the body of evidence for fluorescence-guided robotic prostatectomy as well as assess potential future areas of investigation with this technology., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Background: Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EP) is a severe necrotizing infection of the renal parenchyma which is associated with significant case mortality. We sought to identify the incidence and predictive risk factors associated with EP mortality., Methods: Two electronic databases, PubMed and Web of Science, were searched from their inception until June 06, 2021 for relevant articles. Two independent teams reviewed abstracts and extracted data from the selected manuscripts. A meta-analysis has been reported in line with PRISMA 2020 and AMSTAR Guidelines., Results: Of the 1080 retrieved abstracts, 79 underwent full-text review and 45 studies were included in the final analysis, comprising a total cohort of 1303 patients and 177 mortalities. The pooled prevalence of mortality among the patients with EP disease was 13%. Our analysis found a significantly decreasing trend in mortality rates, an increasing trend in minimally invasive intervention and decreasing trends in emergency nephrectomy in the EP studies from 1985 to 2020. Significant risk factors that were associated with a negative impact on survival of EP patients included sepsis (OR = 15.99), shock (OR = 15.57), disturbance of consciousness (OR = 12.11), thrombocytopenia (OR 7.85), acute renal failure (OR = 5.41), Wan classification I (OR = 4.57), emergency nephrectomy (OR = 3.73), Huang-Tseng classification III-IV (OR = 2.4) and medical management alone (OR = 2.04). Female sex (OR = 0.52) and minimally invasive intervention (OR = 0.47) (percutaneous nephrostomy or ureteral stent placement) were associated with decreased mortality rates., Conclusions: Our study results demonstrated several significant risk factors that could help guide treatment to reduce the mortality risk of EP patients. Clinically, early treatment with a combination of minimally invasive intervention and appropriate medical management may be protective for reducing mortality risk in EP patients., (© 2022. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Société Internationale de Chirurgie.)

Purpose: The role of endogenous testosterone in de novo prostate cancer pathogenesis in humans remains unclear. The effect of testosterone on the tumor genome is not explored. We sought to explore the correlation between perioperative testosterone level and genomic risk score in a cohort of men who underwent radical prostatectomy., Materials and Methods: We included patients who underwent radical prostatectomy (2013-2018) and had adverse pathological features in their final surgical specimens (positive margin, and/or pT3a or higher). The outcome of interest was the genomic risk score: low (<0.45), intermediate (0.45-0.6) and high (>0.6). The associations between serum testosterone level and 188 gene expression-based signatures were examined. Secondary outcomes of interest included biochemical recurrence and receipt of secondary treatment., Results: The median genomic risk score was lower in the low testosterone group compared to the intermediate and normal testosterone groups (0.38 vs 0.52 vs 0.53, respectively; p=0.049). There was no difference in biochemical recurrence-free survival between the 3 testosterone groups (p=0.9). Patients with low testosterone levels had higher odds of receiving secondary treatment (OR: 2.27; 95% CI: 1.14-4.50; p=0.02) than those with normal levels. A total of 43 (of 188) gene expression signatures were associated with testosterone level (p <0.05). In total, 33 signatures were positively associated with serum testosterone levels, including 12 signatures involved in DNA repair pathways., Conclusions: This is the first study to assess the correlation of preoperative testosterone level on the tumor transcriptome and showed no clinical correlation between pre-defined genomic risk score groups and testosterone groups. This study adds to the notion of the limited role of endogenous testosterone on the development of de novo high-risk localized prostate cancer.

Background: Penile strangulation is an uncommon urological emergency that requires prompt intervention to avoid potentially serious sequelae including loss of the distal penis secondary to ischemia and subsequent gangrene. We present a case report of a patient who presented to the hospital with penile strangulation injury of 10-hour duration secondary to the presence of a thick hexagonal steel nut. This case is presented in accordance with Consensus Surgical Case Report guidelines., Case Presentation: A 24-year-old Vietnamese man presented to the emergency room with urinary retention and decreased penile sensation following a 10-hour history of penile strangulation due to the presence of a thick hexagonal steel nut that he had placed around the shaft of the penis for the purpose of sexual enhancement during masturbation. The hexagonal nut was tightly entrapping the penile shaft, resulting in edema, congestion, and swelling of the distal 5 cm of the phallus. Given the thickness of the foreign body as well as the degree of penile swelling, we were unable to remove the hexagonal nut using traditional methods of alleviating penile strangulation injuries. Following consultation with a dental colleague, a dental diamond drill handpiece was utilized to cut the foreign body without injury to the underlying penile skin. Subsequent follow-up in clinic demonstrated no significant urinary or sexual sequalae from this episode., Conclusion: We report a case of penile strangulation requiring novel instrumentation and collaboration for successful treatment., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Background: The aim of this paper was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of robotic-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (RAPN) performed using the da Vinci Single-Port (SP) platform., Methods: A retrospective review was conducted from December 2018 to December 2019 of 14 consecutive patients with localized renal cancer who underwent SP robot-assisted partial nephrectomy at a single institution. The procedures were performed by 2 experienced robotic surgeons, reproducing the steps of the standard multiport robotic approach to partial nephrectomy. A transperitoneal approach was utilized with a 2.5 cm para-rectus incision with one assistant 12 mm laparoscopic port., Results: No conversions to open or laparoscopic surgery occurred and no additional laparoscopic assistant ports were required. The median total operative time was 202 (162-231) minutes and the median total room time was 258 (215-295) minutes. The warm ischemia time averaged 20±8 minutes. 2 patients required angioembolization due to postoperative acute bleeding (Clavien-Dindo Grade 3a complication). Trifecta outcome (<25 min warm ischemia, no perioperative complications and negative margins) was achieved in 79% of patients. In one case, a positive margin was present. The median length of stay was of 1 day (Interquartile Range 1-2) with a median pain score on post-operative day 1 of 3.5 (Interquartile Range 2.4-5); 1/14 (7%) patient needed narcotic use at one week from discharge. At a median follow up of 5.0 (4.0-8.0) months, no patients have had evidence of disease recurrence., Conclusions: In this initial cohort, considering the introduction of a new technology, we observed satisfactory outcomes for several key perioperative variables including operative time, warm ischemia time, surgical margins, hospital stay, pain requirements in patients undergoing RAPN with the SP platform. For experienced robotic surgeons, RAPN with the SP platform is a safe and feasible approach for single site partial nephrectomy.

To describe perioperative outcomes following robot-assisted prostatectomy performed by a single surgeon during transitions between da Vinci standard/Si/Xi and the single port. Perioperative data were retrospectively evaluated of the first 40 consecutive robot-assisted radical prostatectomies performed by a single surgeon using the da Vinci standard, Si, Xi and single port. A total of 160 patients were included. We matched standard vs Si (Match 1), Si vs Xi (Match 2) and Xi vs single port (Match 3) cohort. Mann-Whitney and Fisher's tests were used to test the difference among the groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were adopted to evaluate the predictors of overall and major complications. Single-port procedures in Match 3 showed significant shorter median operative time than Xi. Both Si and single-port groups showed significantly less median blood loss, a shorter median length of stay, respectively, than standard group in Match 1 and than Xi group in Match 3. 1 standard group patient required conversion to open surgery for an unsolvable conflict of the robotic arms. No other intraoperative complications were noted. On univariate and multivariate analyses, the da Vinci platform model was not a predicting factor of major complications (Clavien-Dindo ≥ 3). We described how technological progress impacted peri and postoperative outcomes during transitions between robotic surgical platforms for radical prostatectomy. In particular, the technological improvements associated to the increased surgeon's expertise made the transition to the single port safe and effective when compared with previous platforms., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Background: Prostate cancer (PC) etiology is up to 57% heritable, with the remainder attributed to environmental exposures. There are limited studies regarding national level environmental exposures and PC aggressiveness, which was the focus of this study METHODS: SEER was queried to identify PC cases between 2010 and 2014. The environmental quality index (EQI) is a county-level metric for 2000-2005 combining data from 18 sources and reports an overall ambient environmental quality index, as well as 5 environmental quality sub-domains (air, water, land, built, and sociodemographic) with higher values representing lower environmental quality. PC stage at diagnosis was determined and, multivariable logistic regression models which adjusted for age at diagnosis (years) and self-reported race (White, Black, Other, Unknown) were used to test associations between quintiles of EQI scores and advanced PC stage at diagnosis., Results: The study cohort included 252,164 PC cases, of which 92% were localized and 8% metastatic at diagnosis. In the adjusted regression models, overall environmental quality EQI (OR 1.20, CI 1.15-1.26), water EQI (OR: 1.34, CI: 1.27-1.40), land EQI (OR: 1.35, CI: 1.29-1.42) and sociodemographic EQI (OR: 1.29, CI: 1.23-1.35) were associated with metastatic PC at diagnosis. For these domains there was a dose response increase in the OR from the lowest to the highest quintiles of EQI. Black race was found to be an independent predictor of metastatic PC at diagnosis (OR: 1.36, CI: 1.30-1.42) and in stratified analysis by race; overall EQI was more strongly associated with metastatic PC in Black men (OR: 1.53, CI: 1.35-1.72) compared to White men (OR: 1.18, CI: 1.12-1.24)., Conclusion(s): Lower environmental quality was associated with advanced stage PC at diagnosis. The water, land and sociodemographic domains showed the strongest associations. More work should be done to elucidate specific modifiable environmental factors associated with aggressive PC., (© 2021. This is a U.S. government work and not under copyright protection in the U.S.; foreign copyright protection may apply.)

Competing Interests: None

Background: The functional and oncologic outcomes of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) in octogenarians are not well studied. We sought to study the perioperative, functional, and oncologic outcomes of RARP in octogenarian men. Methods: Between January 2009 and 2019, 46 patients ≥80 years with localized prostate cancer (PCa) underwent RARP in three high-volume robotic urologic practices in the United States. Clinical and pathologic features, and perioperative and postoperative complications were retrospectively evaluated. Functional outcomes for urinary and sexual function were collected via patient-reported questionnaires. Continence was defined as the use of zero or one safety pad per day. Results: The median (interquartile range) age was 81 (80-82), the mean (standard deviation [SD]) operative time was 116.5 (36.4) minutes, and the mean (SD) blood loss was 132 (35.6) mL. All cases were completed robotically, no intraoperative complications were encountered, and the mean length of stay was 1.21 (0.78) days. Regarding 30- and 90-day complication, nine patients had postoperative complications; seven were Clavien-Dindo grade I-II, and two were Clavien-Dindo grade ≥III. Post-RARP continence rates at 3 and 12 months were 68.4% and 84.8%, respectively. Conclusions: RARP represents a feasible option to treat PCa in well-selected octogenarian men. Careful patient selection and counseling are critical before offering surgical treatment for these men.

Objective: Management of prostate cancer in kidney transplant recipients presents a unique surgical challenge due to the risk of direct or indirect injury to the transplanted kidney. Herein, we report the largest single center study of Robot-assisted Radical prostatectomy (RARP) in kidney transplant recipients., Methods: Between Jan 2014-2019, 14 kidney transplant recipients with prostate cancer underwent RARP. Clinical and pathological features, perioperative and postoperative complications were retrospectively evaluated. Continence was defined as by patient utilization of zero urinary pads postoperatively., Results: The median (IQR) age at RARP was 60.2 (57.8-61.3) years, the interval between kidney transplant and RARP was 8.1 ± 7.5 years. The median (IQR) PSA was 6.9 (4-8.6); 10 of 14 patients had intermediate or high-risk prostate cancer. The median ASA score was 3, the mean (SD) operative time was 129.7 (26.3) minutes, and mean (SD) blood loss was 110 (44.6) ml. All cases were completed robotically, there was no graft loss or injury to transplanted ureter, and the mean length of stay was 1 (0.26) day.Final pathology demonstrated that 42.8% (6/14) of the patients had nonorgan confined disease (pT3a/T3b). 50% (7/14) of the patients were upgraded to higher risk Gleason disease on final surgical pathology. Post-RARP continence rate at 3 months, and 12 months were 45.5% (5/11) and 87.5% (7/8), respectively., Conclusion: RARP following kidney transplantation represents a safe and feasible operation which does not appear to compromise oncological or transplant outcomes., (© 2021 by SLS, Society of Laparoscopic & Robotic Surgeons.)

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) represents the most common solid organ malignancy in men. Fortunately, at the time of diagnosis, the majority of cases are staged as localized or regional disease, conferring excellent 5- and 10-year cure rates. There are several first line treatment options including surgical approaches such as robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) and radiation therapy (RT) available to patients with localized disease that offer similar PCa oncologic outcomes but are associated with potentially significant side effects which may impact health-related quality of life (HRQOL) domains. Recently, clinicians and investigators have sought to better understand these changes in HRQOL metrics with the utilization of patient-reported outcomes (PRO). Given that RARP represents the most common surgical treatment for PCa in the United States, there has been a particular interest in assessing these outcomes derived by patient perspectives to more fully appreciate treatment-related impact on quality of life following RARP., Objective: This narrative review sought to explore the instruments available to measure quality of life after RARP, a review of the PRO data after RARP, and future directions for assessing and improving quality of life outcomes following this surgery., Clinical Use: There are several treatment options for men diagnosed with local and regional prostate cancer with similar oncologic outcomes but differing patterns of side effects affecting post-treatment quality of life. Understanding data reported directly by patients following RARP about their side effects and quality of life gives providers additional information for appropriate preoperative counseling for patients choosing between treatment options for their prostate cancer., Competing Interests: No financial or non-financial competing interests to disclose., (© 2021 Hale et al.)

Background: Multiple genomic tests are available following radical prostatectomy (RP), however, there is a lack of head-to-head evidence for these tests. We sought to compare the performance of two genomic tests in predicting post-RP oncological outcomes., Methods: A cohort of 16 post-RP patients with adverse pathological features who had obtained both Decipher (D) and Prolaris (P) testing. The Pearson correlation was used to compare scores from D and cell cycle progression (CCP) from P. Then, we derived a microarray CCP (mCCP) from D and correlated with P-CCP. The associations of D and mCCP with biochemical recurrence (BCR) and metastasis (M) was evaluated in multivariable survival analysis (MVA) in a large cohort of RP patients treated at Johns Hopkins University (1992-2010). In addition, we characterized the expression of the 31 P-CCP genes and mCCP scores in a cohort of 17,967 RP samples from Decipher platform., Results: There was significant correlation between the D score and P-CCP (r = 0.67, p = 0.004), and between the 10-year probability of BCR reported by P and 5-year probability of M reported by D (r = 0.69, p = 0.003). In this cohort, mCCP derived from the D platform was highly correlated to the reported P-CCP scores from the P platform (r = 0.88, p = 6.7e-6). In a comparative retrospective RP cohort, both mCCP and D were significantly associated with M outcome (p < 0.01 for both). On MVA, D was a predictor of M (HR 1.3, 95% CI [1.12-1.52], p = 0.0005), while mCCP was not a predictor of M (p = 0.62). In the D platform cohort, the 31 P-CCP genes were correlated to each other, and TOP2A was the most correlated to mCCP (r = 0.7)., Conclusions: We found that P and D scores post-RP were correlated and help in identifying patients who at high risk of BCR in this cohort. In a larger cohort with longer follow-up, D was predictor of M, whereas mCCP was not.

Background: Studies have thus far neglected to evaluate the impact of the da Vinci single port (SP) robotic platform on surgeon experience and operating room efficiency. We sought to assess the effect of the SP platform on surgeon cognitive load measures during robotic assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP)., Methods: We prospectively compared the first 20 SP-RALPs performed at our institution to 20 multi-port (MP)-RALPs performed by a single experienced robotic surgeon. Three multi-dimensional assessment tools were used to evaluate mental and surgical workload, teamwork and workflow disruptions., Results: No statistically significant differences were found between the MP-RALP and SP-RALP cohorts when evaluated by NASA Task Load Index, Surgery Task Load Index and Observational Teamwork Assessments., Conclusions: The SP robotic platform did not adversely affect human factor performance of the surgeon during RALP. Multi-institutional validation will be necessary to confirm these initial findings., (© 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Introduction: Current preoperative evaluation methods fail to detect the difference in frailty among patients with the same chronological age. Hence, we sought to assess the ability of a simple 5-item frailty index (5-iFI) score to predict surgical outcomes post radical prostatectomy (RP). Methods: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program was queried for patients who underwent RP between 2008 and 2017. The 5-iFI score was calculated by assigning a point for each of the following conditions: (1) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or pneumonia, (2) congestive heart failure, (3) dependent functional status, (4) hypertension, and (5) diabetes. Multivariable regression was performed to assess the association between the 5-iFI score and perioperative outcomes. Results: The cohort included 15,546 (46.2%), 14,541 (46.2%), and 3556 (10.6%) patients with 5-iFI scores of 0, 1, and ≥2, respectively. Patients >65 years, nonwhite, and with an American Society of Anesthesiology ≥3 were more likely to have a 5-iFI score ≥2 ( p  < 0.0001). Similarly, a 5-iFI ≥2 score was associated with higher Clavien-Dindo grades complications ( p -trend <0.0001). In addition, a 5-iFI score ≥2 had 1.66 (1.31-2.11) and 1.85 (1.39-2.46) times the odds of Clavien-Dindo grades ≥3 and ≥4 adverse events, respectively. Moreover, a 5-iFI score ≥2 had 28% increased risk of length of stay >1 day ( p  < 0.0001) and increased incidence of early mortality ( p  = 0.01). Conclusions: Frailty, as measured by a simple 5-point frailty index, is an independent predictor of adverse outcomes and early mortality in patients undergoing RP. Preoperative frailty assessment may improve risk stratification and patient counseling before surgery.

Objective: To better understand the degree and time to resolution of pain in the postoperative period, we captured patient-reported pain intensity and interference prospectively in patients following ureteroscopy for nephrolithiasis., Materials and Methods: Adults undergoing ureteroscopy for renal/ureteral stones from 11/2018 to 1/2020 were eligible for inclusion. All received nonopioid postoperative pain control. Patients prospectively completed Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System-Pain Intensity and Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System-Pain Interference instruments preoperatively on postoperative day (POD) 0 and via email on POD 1, 7, and 14. Scores are reported as T-scores (normalized to US population, mean = 50) with changes of 5 (0.5 standard deviation) considered clinically significant., Results: A total of 126 patients completed enrollment at POD 0 (POD 1 = 74, POD 7 = 61, POD 14 = 47). Compared to US means, intensity and interference were significantly different at all time point comparisons (Wilcoxon rank test; all P <.001) except intensity at POD 7 (P = .09) and interference at POD 14 (P = .12). For both, there was a significant difference at each time comparison (repeated measures ANOVA; all P <.05). Increasing age was predictive of lower intensity (Confidence Interval (CI): -0.31 to -0.04; P = .012) and interference (CI: -0.36 to -0.06; P =.01) at POD 1. The presence of a postoperative stent was predictive of higher intensity (CI: 0.68-10.81; P = .03) and interference (CI: 0.61-12.96; P = .03) at POD 7. Increasing age remained a predictor of lower interference at POD 1 on multivariable analysis (CI: -0.46 to -0.01; P = .03)., Conclusion: Pain intensity and interference are elevated immediately, but intensity normalizes by POD 7, while interference remains elevated until POD 14. Age and indwelling ureteral stent influence both intensity and interference., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The da Vinci single port (SP) robotic system (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) is a recently approved robotic platform designed with several modifications to the previously available multi-port robotic systems. This article describes the technique performed utilizing the SP robotic system for radical robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) with or without bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection from a single institution. In this report we describe our step-by-step approach, technical modifications from the multi-port technique and initial results for performing single port robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (SP-RALP). We describe our initial experience and technique with the SP robotic system consisting of 23 consecutive patients who underwent SP-RALP between December 2018 and May 2019. The median patient age was 62 years with approximately half of the patients undergoing pelvic lymphadenectomy. The median operative time was 236 minutes, median estimated blood loss was 50 mL and median length of hospital stay was 1 day. No unplanned port placements occurred and no conversions to open surgery occurred. We demonstrate the safety and feasibility of performing a transperitoneal prostatectomy with either a posterior or anterior approach.

Navigation programs aim to help patients overcome barriers to cancer diagnosis and treatment. Missed clinic appointments have undesirable effects on the patient, health system, and society, and treatment delays have been shown to result in inferior surgical cure rates for men with prostate cancer (CaP). We sought to measure the impact of patient navigation on CaP clinic adherence. Patient navigators contacted patients prior to their first encounter for known or suspected CaP between 7/1/2016 and 6/30/2017. Encounters from 7/1/2014 to 6/30/2015 were used as a historical control. Patient-variables were analyzed including age, health insurance status, home address, zip code, race, ethnicity, and referring primary care clinic. Encounter-level variables included diagnosis (categorized as known or suspected CaP), date of appointment, type of appointment [new vs. return], and provider. The associations between several factors including navigation contact and these variables with missed appointment were analyzed using generalized linear mixed effects multivariate logistic regression. A total of 2854 scheduled clinic encounters from 986 unique patients were analyzed. Patient navigation resulted in a lower missed appointment rate (8.8% vs. 13.9%, OR = 0.64, IQR 0.44-0.93, p = 0.02 on multivariable analysis). Lack of health insurance (OR = 13.18 [5.13-33.83]), suspected but not confirmed CaP diagnosis (OR = 7.44 [4.85-11.42]), and Black (1.97 [1.06-3.65]) or Hispanic (OR = 3.61 [1.42-9.16]) race, were associated with missed appointment. Implementation of patient navigation reduced missed appointment rates for CaP related ambulatory encounters. Identifying risk factors for missed appointment may aid in targeting navigation services to those most likely to benefit from this intervention.

Background: To present a stepwise description and outcomes of bladder neck sparing (BNS) robot-assisted simple prostatectomy (RASP). Methods: Between March 2015 and December 2018, 30 consecutive patients with benign prostate hyperplasia underwent BNS RASP. Baseline characteristics, and intraoperative and postoperative variables were retrospectively abstracted. Descriptive statistics were used to report the variables. Results: The median age was 66.5 (59.3-72.3) years, and median body mass index was 27.6 (24.5-72.3) kg/m 2 . The median preoperative International Prostate Symptoms Score was 23 (17.5-27), and median prostate size was 97 (74-148.75) mL. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) operative time was 107.5 (22.2) minutes, and the mean (SD) estimated blood loss was 132.4 (35.4) mL. All cases were completed robotically without any intraoperative complications, and continuous bladder irrigation was not necessary for any patient postoperatively. All patients were able to void after catheter removal except one patient with a preexisting diagnosis of neurogenic bladder who resumed clean intermittent catheterization. All patients were continent as defined as using 0 pads postoperatively. Of the 19 patients who had antegrade ejaculation before the operation, 8 patients (42%) reported of continued antegrade ejaculation after the operation. Conclusions: In this report, we demonstrate a simplified approach of BNS RASP that is reproducible with a favorable perioperative complication rates and acceptable postoperative functional outcomes. This technique obviates the need for continuous bladder irrigation and intraperitoneal drain.

Purpose: Several case series have demonstrated the safety and feasibility of outpatient robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) in well-selected patients; however, the patient perspective of this practice has not been well explored. In this study, we explored patients' perspectives on the potential barriers and benefits of outpatient RARP. Materials and Methods: We developed a multidimensional questionnaire to assess socioeconomic status, presence of caretaker at home, preferred transportation to the emergency room in case of chest pain or postsurgical complications, readiness for discharge at postanesthesia care unit (PACU), and potential barriers for discharge. In addition, patients were asked to provide an estimate of overnight hospitalization costs and their willingness to pay out-of-pocket expenses for their overnight stay. Patients who underwent RARP between August 1, 2018, and April 30, 2019, were asked to fill the questionnaire within the first week following their operation. Results: During our study, 157/292 (53.8%) of men undergoing RARP from a single high-volume robotic surgeon completed the survey. Patients who completed <80% of the survey ( n  = 5) were excluded from the final analysis. Thirty-seven (24.3%) patients felt that they would have been ready for discharge immediately from PACU, and 48 (31.6%) patients after extended recovery and before midnight. Only 17.8% ( n  = 27) of the patients claim that they experienced a medical intervention in the hospital that could not have been managed at home. The main barriers for same-day discharge were pain (55.9%, 80/143), catheter discomfort (44.7%, 64/143), insufficient education about catheter care (31.4%, 45/143), postoperative nausea and vomiting (15.3%, 22/143), and medical complications (13.2%, 19/143). Conclusions: Two-thirds of patients following RARP did not feel ready to be discharged on the day of their surgery. Further research is necessary to identify patients who may benefit from this approach to reduce health care costs while minimizing patient postoperative morbidity.

Introduction: The da Vinci Single-Port (SP) platform (Intuitive Surgical Inc, Sunnyvale CA) is a recently approved robotic surgical platform which features several novel modifications from previously available single trocar models including a flexible camera, articulating instruments, and navigator guidance for real-time monitoring of instrument position. We sought to describe our clinical experience with this device as well as to review the current literature related to the use of the SP platform., Methods: We provide a narrative review of clinical data related to single-port robotic surgery within the field of urology. In addition, we report our initial clinical experience for surgical procedures performed with the SP platform between December 2018 and April 2019 following installation of the system at our institution., Results: Currently, the presently available literature for single-port robotic urological surgery consists of single-center case reports and series. Most major robotic urologic operations appear technically feasible using the da Vinci SP platform; however, additional multi-center studies and randomized trials are needed to determine what role the SP platform will play., Conclusions: Rather than an iterative step or a niche system, the SP platform provides for a new approach to single-site laparoscopic or robotic techniques and is demonstrated as a feasible approach for several major robotic urological operations. While comparative studies will be required to evaluate perioperative and long-term outcomes between SP and multi-port platforms, further technological advances will continue to push surgeons towards less morbid and more minimally invasive approaches for surgery.

Several studies have assessed the safety and feasibility of single port robot-assisted radical prostatectomy using different and custom built robotic-assisted technology. In part due to the non-standardized nature of these approaches, single site robotic prostatectomy has not been widely adopted. With the recent approval of the da Vinci (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale CA) Single Port (SP) platform, there has been a renewed interest in single site robotic-assisted prostatectomy and several institutions have begun reporting their initial experiences with this technique. In this systematic review, we sought to assess and summarize the literature regarding patient outcomes for single site robotic-assisted prostatectomy and evaluate its role in surgical treatment of prostate cancer. This systematic review was structured using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Studies describing the use of any robotic platform, including da Vinci Si, Xi or SP platforms for robotic single-port or single site radical prostatectomy between 2000 and July 15, 2019 were eligible for inclusion in this systematic review. Studies were excluded if they included combined cases with other organ resection, represented use in a non-clinical setting (such as a cadaveric model), or described results for a simple prostatectomy technique. Data was extracted by two authors with concerns resolved by consensus. Primary outcomes were mean operative times, estimated blood loss (mL), and hospital length of stay (days). Secondary outcomes included intraoperative conversion to open surgery, and intraoperative and postoperative complications. Variables of interest included sample size (n), mean age (years), mean prostate size (mL), prostate specific antigen (PSA, ng/mL), Gleason score, clinical and pathological TNM staging [American Joint Commission on Cancer (AJCC)], lymph nodes (n) and perioperative complications as available. A total of 217 studies were reviewed by title and abstract, with 28 selected for full-text review; ultimately, 12 studies were included, with available data from 145 patients. Primary outcomes and preoperative characteristics varied greatly amongst patients and across studies. One patient (0.7%) required conversion to a multi-port approach and there were no conversions to an open technique. No intraoperative complications were reported, and no Clavien grade III or greater postoperative complications have been described in the initial 81 radical prostatectomies performed with the SP platform. Single Port techniques appear to represent a safe and feasible approach for performing the minimally invasive radical prostatectomy. The current available literature on the single port radical prostatectomy is weak and consists of single center studies with small sample sizes, short-term follow up and limited functional data. More rigorous multi-center trials with standardized metrics for reporting functional outcomes as well as long-term cancer specific survival are necessary to validate these initial studies., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: The series “Robotic-assisted Urologic Surgery” was commissioned by the editorial office without any funding or sponsorship. Dr. Crivellaro is a consultant for Intuitive Surgical, Inc. The other authors have no other conflicts of interest to declare., (2020 Translational Andrology and Urology. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To demonstrate the feasibility, surgical technique, and initial outcomes of robotic vaginoplasty with peritoneal flap (Davydov) technique for vaginal reconstruction., Methods: Following appropriate preoperative patient counseling, 11 consecutive patients underwent robotic vaginoplasty with the da Vinci (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale CA) multiport Xi and single port robotic platforms. Perioperative and postoperative outcomes of interest were retrospectively collected., Results: Between March 2019 and October 2019, a total of 11 patients have undergone robotic vaginoplasty with peritoneal flap technique at our institution-9 using the da Vinci single port platform and 2 using the da Vinci Xi platform. Reasons for vaginoplasty included primary gender-affirming genital reconstruction, vaginal stenosis after gender confirmation surgery, and vaginal hypoplasia secondary to disorders of sexual development. Mean operative time was 267.2 ± 85.9 minutes. Initial postoperative mean vaginal depth was 13.9 ± 0.5 cm. Mean estimated blood loss was 131.8 ± 92.9 mL. Mean length of stay was 5.2 ± 0.6 days and time to return of bowel function was 1.7 ± 0.9 days. Thirty-day readmission rate was 18% (N = 2/11) with 1 patient (9%) requiring surgical revision of the neovagina., Conclusion: Robotic-assisted Davydov technique is a potentially applicable, efficacious, and safe method of vaginal reconstruction in cisgender and transgender individuals., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: A shared professional culture focused on patient safety is critical to delivering high-quality care. There is a need for objective metrics to help identify target areas for improvement in patient safety culture. The Medical Office Survey on Patient Safety Culture (SOPS) was developed and validated by the United States Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to measure patient safety culture in the ambulatory setting. In this study we report on safety culture and practices in six academic urology clinics utilizing this validated questionnaire., Materials and Methods: The SOPS was administered to all staff in ambulatory urology practices affiliated with participating centers. Percent positive responses were calculated for each of 10 validated composite domains and were compared between sites and respondent roles. Nonparametric statistical analyses were performed to identify differences between groups., Results: The survey was administered to 185 staff members, with an overall response rate of 66%. Within each domain there was substantial variability between sites, with significant differences observed in staff training (p = 0.034), office processes/standardization (p = 0.008), patient care tracking (p = 0.047), communication about errors (p = 0.001), and organizational learning (p = 0.015). Similar variation was seen between respondent roles with significant differences for patient care tracking (p = 0.002) and communication about errors (p = 0.014)., Conclusions: The SOPS is a clinically useful tool to identify issues impacting a practice's safety culture. Substantial variability was observed within each composite domain at the levels of practice site and respondent role. Comparing composite domain results between clinics will allow leadership to identify gaps and evaluate policies and resources of higher performing peer sites.

Objectives: To assess the safety and feasibility of the da Vinci ® SP (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) robotic platform for a consecutive series of patients who underwent single-port robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (SP-RALP)., Patients and Methods: In all, 10 consecutive patients with biopsy confirmed prostate cancer underwent SP-RALP at our institution. Pre-, peri-, and postoperative data were prospectively collected for key outcomes including: estimated blood loss (EBL), operative time, postoperative pain requirements, duration of hospital stay, and complications., Results: The patients were aged 52-77 years with a body mass index of 24.4-36.7 kg/m 2 . Prostate volumes ranged from 26 to 136 mL, with a mean (sd) PSA (prostate specific antigen) level of 11.0 (10.6) ng/mL. Lymph node dissection was performed in four patients and nerve sparing in five. No intraoperative complications occurred, and no patients required conversion to an open approach. Total EBL was 20-150 mL, with a median (interquartile range [IQR]) console time of 189 (171-207) min and operative time of 234 (216-247) min. No patients were readmitted or required intervention. Urethral catheters were removed at a median (IQR) of 10 (8-11) days after surgery., Conclusion: SP-RALP appears to be a safe and feasible approach to performing robotic radical prostatectomy. Long-term follow-up will be necessary to assess initial oncological and functional results., (© 2019 The Authors BJU International © 2019 BJU International Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)