Biomedical subjects

J Roigas

Publications and source records attributed to J Roigas.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Fast-track surgery in laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: basic principles.

Fast-track surgery describes innovative treatment concepts ensuring a faster convalescence phase. The aim of this study was to allow hospital discharge 3 days after surgery without additional complications in patients receiving LRPE for localized prostate cancer. Twenty-five patients each were randomized in the study groups to verify if a fast-track regimen could be transferred into clinical routine. The perioperative data, early complications, hospital stay as well as readmission rate were analyzed. The mean postoperative stay was 3.6 days in the fast-track group versus 6.7 days in the conventional group. The overall complications were significantly less in the fast-track procedure. The readmission rate was low and not significant. Patients receiving an LRPE benefit from a suitable fast-track concept. The postoperative hospital stay could be shortened nearly by half with a significantly decreased overall complication rate. Thus, fast-track concepts might contribute to saving resources in the long term. However, more evidence based on larger prospective trials is needed to achieve optimal quality of life for patients perioperatively.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

Treatment of varicocele with reference to age: a retrospective comparison of three minimally invasive procedures.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated whether the therapeutic efficacy and morbidity of three minimally invasive techniques for varicocele correction--laparoscopic varicocelectomy (LV), antegrade sclerotherapy (AS), and retrograde embolization (RE)--differed between children and adults. METHODS: During a 10-year period, 356 procedures for varicocele correction, including 122 cases of LV, 108 cases of AS, and 126 cases of RE, were performed for 314 patients at our institution. Of these patients, 223 were 19 years of age or younger (group 1), and 133 were older than 19 years (group 2). Diagnosis and postoperative results were established clinically and with the use of Doppler ultrasonography. The failure rates and complications for each procedure were retrospectively evaluated and compared between the two age groups. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 69 months (range, 6-122 months). For 25 patients (19.8%), RE was not feasible for technical reasons. In both groups, LV had a lower failure rate than AS or RE, but the difference between LV and AS was not significant in group 1 (7.7(% vs 11.9%; p > 0.5). Also in group 1, AS was associated with fewer complications than LV 1 (4.5% vs 15.4%; p < 0.05). In group 2, LV was significantly more effective in correcting varicoceles than the other two techniques (p < 0.01). In this group, the complication rates for all three procedures did not differ significantly (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, LV was more effective than AS or RE in correcting varicoceles. For children and adolescents, AS may be more indicated because of the slightly lower complication rate and similar recurrence rates, as compared with LV, for this age group. The higher incidence of postoperative hydrocele formation after LV warrants more refined techniques such as the lymphatic-sparing approach.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Interleukin-2/interferon-alpha2a/13-retinoic acid-based chemoimmunotherapy in advanced renal cell carcinoma: results of a prospectively randomised trial of the German Cooperative Renal Carcinoma Chemoimmunotherapy Group (DGCIN).

We performed a prospectively randomised clinical trial to compare the efficacy of four subcutaneous interleukin-2-(sc-IL-2) and sc interferon-alpha2a (sc-IFN-alpha2a)-based outpatient regimens in 379 patients with progressive metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Patients with lung metastases, an erythrocyte sedimentation rate < or =70 mm h(-1) and neutrophil counts < or =6000 microl(-1) (group I) were randomised to arm A: sc-IL-2, sc-IFN-alpha2a, peroral 13-cis-retinoic acid (po-13cRA) (n=78), or arm B: arm A plus inhaled-IL-2 (n=65). All others (group II) were randomised to arm C: arm A plus intravenous 5-fluorouracil (iv-5-FU) (n=116), or arm D: arm A plus po-Capecitabine (n=120). Median overall survival (OS) was 22 months (arm A; 3-year OS: 29.7%) and 18 months (arm B; 3-year OS: 29.2%) in group I, and 18 months (arm C; 3-year OS: 25.7%) and 16 months (arm D; 3-year OS: 32.6%) in group II. There were no statistically significant differences in OS, progression-free survival, and objective response between arms A and B, and between arms C and D, respectively. Given the known therapeutic efficacy of sc-IL-2/sc-INF-alpha2a/po-13cRA-based outpatient chemoimmunotherapies, our results did not establish survival advantages in favour of po-Capecitabine vs iv-5-FU, and in favour of short-term inhaled-IL-2 in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma receiving systemic cytokines.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

[Kidney transplantation in childhood and adolescence].

The reasons for end-stage renal disease in pediatric patients differ from adults. The therapy of choice is renal transplantation. A total of 117 children and adolescents were treated with renal transplantation in 2003 in Germany. Immunosuppressive therapy and related comorbidities are the main problems in pediatric patients. The following article provides a summary of transplantation in children, preparation, and follow-up.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

[Ten years of laparoscopic living kidney donation. From an extravagant to a routine procedure].

Ten years ago the first laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy (LDN) was performed. Today, LDN is a routine operation in many US-American transplantation centers and an increasing number of centers in Europe are practicing LDN. In this article the different aspects of LDN for donor, kidney, recipient and operating surgeon are evaluated. We performed a literature research concerning LDN and the different aspects. Our own experience, as the largest LDN center in Germany, is part of the evaluation. Laparoscopic extraction of a kidney from a living donor is as safe for the donor as the open approach. At the same time, LDN offers multiple advantages like reduced pain and shorter convalescence. For the donated kidney and the recipient no disadvantages occur from the laparoscopic technique, as long as special intra- and perioperative demands are met. For the operating surgeon multiple developments have expanded the technical armentarium. LDN is safe for donor, recipient and kidney. Central issue of an optimal LDN is sufficient experience with laparoscopic urological techniques.

Directed Tissue Donation↗

PubMed2006

Body size and weight as predisposing factors in varicocele.

OBJECTIVE: The literature regarding the constitutional type of children and adolescents with varicocele is inconsistent. The aim of this investigation was to examine a possible influence of weight, height and body mass index (BMI) on the formation of varicoceles during childhood and adolescence. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a retrospective data analysis, 193 Caucasian children and adolescents aged 9-19 years (mean age 14.7 years) with left-sided varicocele grade 2-3 were studied. The weight, height and BMI of the subjects were compared with the age-correlated normal values currently accepted in Germany. Additionally, the familial disposition for varicocele and the occurrence of relevant concurrent diseases were considered. RESULTS: In the group of patients examined, the mean percentiles of weight (57th) and height (58th) were significantly above and the mean BMI percentile (42th) was significantly below the age-correlated 50th percentile for the normal population (p=0.019, 0.005 and 0.002). In our case material, 12.2% of all brothers of the patients had varicoceles. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this investigation suggest a correlation between physical appearance and the formation of a varicocele during childhood or adolescence. We were able to demonstrate that patients with varicocele were heavier and taller than an age-correlated normal population, but had a distinctly lower BMI. Further studies are needed to verify whether this rather athletic habitus, together with the postulated difference in muscle:fat ratio, represents an important etiologic factor for varicocele formation.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Severe parvovirus B19 encephalitis after renal transplantation.

Human parvovirus B19 is a common cause of benign erythema infectiosum (fifth disease) in otherwise healthy children. Immunocompromized patients are at risk of developing chronic infections leading to chronic hyporegenerative anemia. We report the case of a nine-year-old boy who presented five days after renal transplantation with seizures and signs of encephalitis on MRI. The clinical course was characterized by anemia and seroconversion for parvovirus B19 accompanied by a high viral load (>10(9) copies per milliliter). A transfusion of red blood cells that the patient required after transplantation was found to be negative for parvovirus B19, leaving the donated organ as the most likely source of infection. Reduction of the immunosuppressive regimen led to complete recovery of the patient with a stable RBC count upon discharge. Parvovirus B19 infections should be considered in the differential diagnosis of seizures after solid organ transplantation.

Anemia↗

PubMed2005

[Clinical pathway "laparoscopic prostatectomy". Analysis of anesthesiological procedures in a randomized study].

METHODS: In this study we investigated the anesthesiological module of a clinical pathway. We chose the pathway of "laparoscopic prostatectomy" as an example for time-consuming minimally invasive surgery and 40 patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups receiving either total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) using propofol/ remifentanil or balanced minimal flow anesthesia using desflurane/ remifentanil. During this module the indicators of quality such as vigilance, pain, postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and mobilization were measured. Costs were evaluated and analyzed by a bottom-up procedure. RESULTS: There were no anesthesia-related deviations from clinical pathways and both forms of anesthesia management were equally well tolerated by the patients. No significant difference was observed regarding hemodynamic measurements or PONV. The patients in the desflurane/ remifentanil group recovered more rapidly (p=0.037) and had more pain. The amount of analgesic agents given immediately following anesthesia was significantly higher than in the TIVA group (p=0.017). The median anesthesia costs per minute for laparoscopic prostatectomy in the propofol group were 2.79 EUR (minimum cost 2.41 EUR, maximum cost 3.21 EUR) and in the desflurane group 2.68 EUR (minimum cost 2.45 EUR, maximum cost 3.39 EUR). The total anesthesia costs for both groups were within the proceeds matrix range for diagnosis-related groups (DRG). However, the cost analysis for medication was slightly higher than the proceeds matrix range for DRGs. CONCLUSION: Both forms of anesthesia can be implemented for time-consuming surgical procedures and allow a cost-effective anesthesia management. Anesthesiological procedures must go hand-in-hand with the type of anesthesia selected. The prophylactic use of analgetics for desflurane/ remifentanil anesthesia should be given earlier and in higher doses than in propofol/ remifentanil anesthesia. The prophylactic use of antiemetics following laparoscopic procedures of long duration is indicated. Optimizing anesthesiological procedures could lead to a continuous improvement in the quality of therapeutic pathways.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy.

Laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy (LDN) has removed disincentives of potential donors and may bear the potential to increase kidney donation. Multiple modifications have been made to abbreviate the learning curve while at the same time guarantee the highest possible level of medical quality for donor and recipient. We reviewed the literature for the evolution of the different LDN techniques and their impact on donor, graft and operating surgeon, including the subtleties of different surgical accesses, vessel handling and organ extraction. We performed a literature search (PubMed, DIMDI, medline) to evaluate the development of the LDN techniques from 1995 to 2003. Today more than 200 centres worldwide perform LDN. Hand-assistance has led to a spread of LDN. Studies comparing open and hand-assisted LDN show a reduction of operating and warm ischaemia times for the hand-assisted LDN. Different surgical access sites (trans- or retroperitoneal), different vessel dissection approaches, donor organ delivery techniques, delivery sites and variations of hand-assistance techniques reflect the evolution of LDN. Proper techniques and their combination for the consecutive surgical steps minimize both warm ischaemia time and operating time while offering the donor a safe minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure. LDN has breathed new life into the moribund field of living kidney donation. Within a few years LDN could become the standard approach in living kidney donation. Surgeons working in this field must be trained thoroughly and well acquainted with the subtleties of the different LDN techniques and their respective advantages and disadvantages.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2004

Interleukin-2- and interferon alfa-2a-based immunochemotherapy in advanced renal cell carcinoma: a Prospectively Randomized Trial of the German Cooperative Renal Carcinoma Chemoimmunotherapy Group (DGCIN).

PURPOSE: We conducted a prospectively randomized clinical trial to compare the efficacy of three outpatient therapy regimens in 341 patients with progressive metastatic renal cell carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were stratified according to known clinical predictors and were subsequently randomly assigned. Treatment arms were: arm A (n = 132), subcutaneous interferon alfa-2a (sc-IFN-alpha-2a), subcutaneous interleukin-2 (sc-IL-2), and intravenous (IV) fluorouracil; arm B (n = 146): arm A treatment combined with per oral 13-cis-retinoic acid; and arm C (n = 63), sc-IFN-alpha-2a and IV vinblastine. RESULTS: Treatment (according to the standard 8-week Hannover Atzpodien regimen) arms A, B, and C yielded objective response rates of 31%, 26%, and 20%, respectively. Arm B, but not arm A, showed a significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) compared with arm C (P =.0248). Both arm A (median overall survival, 25 months; P =.0440) and arm B (median overall survival, 27 months; P =.0227) led to significantly improved overall survival (OS) compared with arm C (median OS, 16 months). All three sc-IFN-alpha-2a-based therapies were moderately or well tolerated. CONCLUSION: Our results established the safety and improved long-term therapeutic efficacy of sc-IL-2 plus sc-INF-alpha-2a-based outpatient immunochemotherapies, compared with sc-INF-alpha-2a/IV vinblastine.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Nonmyeloablative stem cell transplantation in metastatic renal cell carcinoma: delayed graft-versus-tumor effect is associated with chimerism conversion but transplantation has high toxicity.

Seven out of 29 patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) considered eligible for allogeneic stem cell transplantation underwent nonmyeloablative stem cell transplantation (NST) from HLA-identical donors. Conditioning comprised cyclophosphamide, fludarabine and antithymocyte globulin. Prolonged mixed chimerism (MC) after engraftment converted to complete donor chimerism (CC) after infusion of donor lymphocytes and/or graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) in six patients. Five patients developed severe GvHD. Two of seven patients had a delayed tumor response after conversion to CC. After a median follow-up of 10 months (4-24 months), 5/7 patients are alive, one in very good partial remission (PR), one with stable and three with progressive disease. One of the seven patients died from sepsis in PR and 1/7 died from rapid tumor progression after sustained MC. None of the 22 nontransplanted patients responded to further therapies. Survival after 1 year was 59% in transplanted and 66% in nontransplanted patients (n.s.). A pooled data analysis from the literature suggests a graft-versus-tumor effect after transplant in patients with metastatic RCC, which becomes effective after chimerism conversion. Available data demonstrate high nonrelapse mortality in these patients. NST in RCC still has to be regarded as an investigational approach requiring careful patients' selection and longer follow-up within clinical studies.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Repression of thermotolerance in Dunning R3327 prostate carcinoma cells by 2-deoxy-glucose.

The transient addition of the cytosolic energy depletor 2-deoxy-glucose to cultures of rat prostate carcinoma cells blunted the induction of Hsp70 protein following exposure to elevated temperatures in a manner that appeared to parallel its effects on energy metabolism. While the reduction in stress-induced heat-shock protein expression by treatment with 2-deoxy-glucose had no effects on the acute loss of cellular viability after exposure to heat, the acquisition of thermotolerance in response to a conditioning stimulus was specifically repressed. Therefore, 2-deoxy-glucose will be a useful tool in the investigation of mechanisms that mediate immediate versus chronic responses to cellular stress, including the specific roles played by members of the heat-shock protein family of proteins. These results might have important implications in the design of protocols for the hyperthermic treatment of tumours.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed2003

Tumor type M2 pyruvate kinase expression in metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

The M2 isoenzyme of pyruvate kinase (M2-PK) is specifically expressed in tumor cells (TuM2-PK) and has been detected in the peripheral blood of patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). TuM2-PK is not useful as a biological marker in localized RCC. We analysed TuM2-PK in 68 patients with metastatic RCC after initial surgery and prior to or during chemoimmunotherapy of metastases. In 50 patients, the levels of TuM2-PK were measured during chemoimmunotherapy with interleukin-2, interferon-alpha2a and 5-fluorouracil for up to 8 months and were correlated to response as assessed by radiological imaging techniques. TuM2-PK was quantified with a commercially available enzyme linked immunosorbent assay kit using a cut off of 15 kU/l. In 48 of 68 patients (71%), TuM2-PK was elevated above the cut-off. TuM2-PK was significantly higher in G3 tumors than in G2 tumors. In 34 of 50 patients (68%) undergoing chemoimmunotherapy, a positive correlation between TuM2-PK values and response to treatment was observed. Based on these data, we would not recommend the routine clinical use of TuM2-PK in metastatic RCC at this point.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

[Laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy of kidneys with multiple renal vessels].

Due to the increasing waiting time for transplantation of a cadaveric kidney, living donor kidney transplantation is an increasingly oncoming issue. Laparoscopic donor nephrectomies (LDN) have been performed since 1995 and presently more than 100 transplant centers offer this minimally invasive surgical approach. The advantages for the donor of less pain, shorter hospital stay, earlier return to work, better cosmetic results in combination with an organ function equal to open donor nephrectomy are the reasons for an enormous increase in LDN. Since up to 30% of the donor kidneys have multiple vessels for blood supply, an increase of these organs for LDN can be expected. We performed a retrospective study of LDN at our center and compared donors with multiple vs single vessel supply. From February 1999 to September 2002, 63 LDN were performed at the department of Urology, Charité University Hospital, Berlin. A comparison between 18 donor kidneys with multiple vessel supply and 45 donor organs with single vessels showed no difference for the time of laparoscopic explantation (207 vs 201 min, p=0.4) or the warm (166 vs 148 s, p=0.2) and cold ischemic times (117 vs 103 min, p=0.66). As could be expected, the mixed ischemic time, i.e., the time for anastomosis of the kidney with the recipient's vessels, showed a significant difference (53 vs 46 min, p=0.02). Intra- and postoperative complication rates for donors and recipients were not different in both groups. Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy for kidneys with multiple vessels is feasible and safe for donor and recipient.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

[Laparoscopic transperitoneal donor nephrectomy. Technique and results].

Living donor kidney transplantation is one possibility to meet the growing demand for organs in patients with chronic renal failure. In 1995 the first laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy (LDN) was performed in the United States. More than 100 transplant centers worldwide perform LDN. The expectations of a larger number of willing organ donors were fulfilled due to the less traumatic operation. Meanwhile, several techniques exist to retrieve a kidney laparoscopically, including the trans- or retroperitoneal, strictly laparoscopic, or hand-assisted approach. From February 1999 to September 2002, 63 strictly laparoscopic, transperitoneal LDNs were performed at the Department of Urology of the Charité University Hospital, Berlin. Warm ischemic time was 148 s (105-360) and operating time was 203 min (110-305). Intraoperative complications were due to insufficient closure of the vessels in four patients. Mean postoperative hospital stay was 5.7 days (3-9). One year after LDN, renal function as well as creatinine levels of the recipient showed no difference compared to the organs harvested via the approach at our department prior to implementation of LDN. Strictly laparoscopic transperitoneal donor nephrectomy is a safe method for kidney retrieval and ensures excellent graft function.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

[Improvement of hemostasis in laparoscopic and open partial nephrectomy with gelatin thrombin matrix (FloSeal)].

Long-term follow-up studies have demonstrated that effective local tumor control and long-term tumor-free progression rates can be achieved by nephron-sparing surgery. However, hemostasis is a major issue and the lack of effective means of hemostasis has limited a wider use of the laparoscopic approach to nephron-sparing surgery. Between January 2001 and August 2002, a total of 36 patients with renal cell carcinomas were treated by partial nephrectomies using a two-component tissue sealant (FloSeal). The median age was 55.2 years (range: 34-71 years). Follow-up time was 1-18 months (median: 5.5 months). The tumor diameter ranged from 2 to 5 cm (median: 2.9 cm). Open retroperitoneal surgery was performed in 17 cases and laparoscopic partial nephrectomy in 19 cases. The two-component tissue sealant (consisting of a gelatin matrix with granular and thrombin components) was applied after resection of the tumor and before perfusion of the kidney. The following parameters were recorded: (1) time until complete hemostasis was achieved, (2) decrease in postoperative hemoglobin level, (3) postoperative bleeding, and (4) presence or absence of a perirenal hematoma 24 h and 10 days postoperatively by ultrasound. After application of the tissue sealant for 1-2 min to the moist resection site, hemostasis was immediate in all cases. During the laparoscopic partial nephrectomies, a laparoscopic applicator was used that avoided wasting the tissue sealant within the dead space of the instrument. When reperfusion of the kidney was established, hemostasis was maintained. The decrease in postoperative hemoglobin level ranged from 0.3 to 1.2 points (median: 0.8 points). None of the patients required blood transfusions. There were no cases of postoperative bleeding. An ultrasound examination 24 h and 10 days postoperatively demonstrated the absence of a significant perirenal hematoma. The two-component tissue sealant FloSeal provided immediate and durable hemostasis in open and laparoscopic partial nephrectomies. The tissue sealant may provide a tool to expand the possibilities of laparoscopic nephron-sparing surgery.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

[Renal carcinoma with invasion of the suprahepatic vena cava (Staehler stage III and IV): surgical treatment and results].

The operative treatment of patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and suprahepatic infradiaphragmatic or supradiaphragmatic vena cava invasion (Staehler stage III and IV) is still an interdisciplinary challenge. The potential high complication rate and the enormous operative-technical efforts have to be brought into line with the individual benefit for the patient. In this study, we have retrospectively analyzed the operative results of 24 patients. We have further compared the patients during follow-up and immunotherapy due to metastasis with a control group of 75 patients without vena cava invasion. Perioperative mortality in the 24 patients was 4%. Four patients had metastasis at presentation and 14 further patients developed metastatic disease during median follow-up of 23.5 months. Median survival was 45 months with a 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rate of 92, 57, and 33%, respectively. In a multivariate analysis, only the presence of metastasis (p=0.002) and marginal immunotherapy (p=0.1), but not vena cava invasion (p=0.259) or a positive lymph node status (p=0.624) were significant predictors of a poor survival. For patients with RCC and suprahepatic infradiaphragmatic or supradiaphragmatic vena cava invasion (Staehler stage III and IV), the combination of an aggressive surgical treatment combined with subsequent immunotherapy in the presence of metastatic disease offers a realistic therapeutic option with reasonable survival rates.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

[Laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty with Anderson-Hynes technique].

Because of the minimal invasiveness of the laparoscopic approach, we introduced the laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty in our treatment modalities for patients with primary UPJ obstruction. We report on our technique and the results after a median follow-up of more than 2 years. Between August 1997 and September 2002, 52 patients underwent a laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty at our institution. All patients had a symptomatic primary PJ obstruction. We prefer the transperitoneal route with laterocolic exposure of the kidney. After preparation and exposure of the ureter and the renal pelvis, we performed in each case the dismembered Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasty with resection of the pelvis and reanastomosis between the ureter and renal pelvis. Intracorporeal suturing and knotting techniques were used exclusively. All procedures could be performed successfully. In no case was conversion to open surgery necessary. The mean operative time was 180 min. Crossing vessels were present in 57% of patients. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 4 days. The first patient had an anastomosis insufficiency, which required laparoscopic repair. The same patient failed in the follow-up. He developed a late recurrence of the stenosis and needed an open repair. In all other patients the obstruction was resolved or significantly improved. The long-term success rate is 98% with a follow-up of 25 months. Our results with laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasties compare favorably with those achieved by open pyeloplasties with less perioperative morbidity and discomfort. We do believe that laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty will be the method of choice in the treatment of UPJ obstruction.

Adolescent↗