[Urologic laparoscopy--where do we stand?].
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Female↗
Biomedical subjects
P Fornara
Publications and source records attributed to P Fornara.
[Port metastases: fact or fiction?].
In the early 1990s, the first reports appeared indicating a disturbingly high incidence (20%) of port site metastases following laparoscopic procedures for visceral and gynecological malignancies. At the same time, animal experiments were performed to investigate the phenomenon of port site metastases. The results were independently and repeatedly verified by different groups. In view of these distressing facts, a controversial, at times emotional discussion arose that evolved at least in part without strict regard to the available data. In the recent past, reports on increased incidence of port site metastases after laparoscopic interventions have completely vanished from the literature. Figures on incidence reported by various authors range between 0.5% and 1.3% and thus are comparable to the rate for surgical wound metastases (0.8-1.6%) as known from open conventional methods. Prospective studies have even shown that the survival rate in comparison to conventional techniques is 20% better, at least for laparoscopically treated stage I-III colorectal carcinomas. At present the discussion on the phenomenon of port site metastases can be considered closed. Port site metastases are thus no longer a fact, but also not fiction, since this phenomenon does occur in a small percentage of patients after laparoscopy just as after open surgery.
Humans↗
[Urologic laparoscopy in marginal patients].
This paper describes the use of urological laparoscopy in borderline patients, focussing on geriatric patients and those with renal failure. Laparoscopy must not only be feasible but also at least as effective concerning operative and postoperative parameters when compared to standard open surgery. For laparoscopic nephrectomy most of these factors have tested positive. However, only a few papers have been published concerning borderline patients. In some cases the pneumoperitoneum may not be suitable for borderline patients and open operative techniques are preferred. Apart from this, the current literature supports the effectiveness of laparoscopy even when certain risk factors are present. Especially borderline patients can benefit from the laparoscopic approach for nephrectomy. Although data are scarce concerning other laparoscopic procedures in borderline patients, the results of laparoscopic nephrectomy should probably apply to other laparoscopic procedures.
Aged↗
[Results of comprehensive data collection concerning urologic laparoscopy].
To evaluate the current status of laparoscopy, the "Working Group Laparoscopy" of the German Urological Association performed a questionnaire among urologists in Germany. Of 300 questionnaires 183 were returned and analyzed (61%): 54% of the departments already performed laparoscopy and another 50% are planning to introduce this technique. The major concerns are economical (70%), long learning curve (92%), investment (53%), and lack of scientific data (76%). Simple nephrectomy, cryptorchism, and varicoceles are treated by 66, 59, and 58 of the 96 departments laparoscopically (of 183 resp.). Laparoscopic surgery for radical prostatectomy and tumor nephrectomy is done by 32 and 34 of 96 departments. Only a minority of the centers performs more than 40 laparoscopies per year and indication. Compared to a survey conducted in 1995, the acceptance level of this technique has increased (100% vs 48%). Only a minority of the departments performs more than 40 laparoscopic interventions per year for one indication.
Attitude of Health Personnel↗
Laparoscopic fenestration of posttransplant lymphoceles.
BACKGROUND: A lymphocele is a common finding after renal transplantation and occurs in up to 20% of patients. The majority of patients are asymptomatic. However, once a lymphocele has become symptomatic (e.g., through transplant dysfunction) this condition has to be treated. We report our 9-year experience with laparoscopic lymphocele fenestration and discuss the current management options for posttransplant lymphoceles. METHODS: Since 1993, 19 patients (11 males and 8 females; median age 56 years, range 22-68 years) of a total of 31 patients with a symptomatic posttransplant lymphocele have undergone laparoscopic fenestration of their lymphocele at a median of 66 days (range, 19-111 days) following successful renal transplantation in our department. As a first-line treatment, a percutaneous pigtail drainage catheter was inserted in all patients. In case of failure in resolving the fluid collection, the next step included sclerotherapy by instillation of tetracycline or ethanol into the lymphocele cavity in some cases. In patients with a persistent lymphocele, a laparoscopic lymphocele fenestration via a transabdominal approach was undertaken to achieve adequate drainage. RESULTS: Primary laparoscopic lymphocele fenestration was successful in all except two patients, who required a conversion. The median operating time was 36 min (range, 20-70 min). Following the procedure, renal transplant function remained stable or returned to individually normal levels in all patients. Median duration of hospital stay was 4 days (range, 1-13 days). At median follow-up of 27 months, all patients were alive with a functioning transplant. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic lymphocele fenestration is reserved for patients in whom temporary drainage with or without sclerotherapy failed to resolve the fluid collection. In these cases the laparoscopic approach offers obvious technical and clinical advantages compared to open operative techniques.
Adult↗
Differential diagnostic use of interleukin patterns in patients being monitored after transplantation.
BACKGROUND AND AIM: We investigated how far the determination of selected interleukins in bodily fluids of patients who had received kidney allografts can help to confirm the diagnosis of complications after transplantations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Levels of soluble interleukin-2-receptor, interleukin 6 and interleukin 8 were determined in serum and urine of 79 patients. According to the type of diagnosis obtained with histological, serological and microbiological methods and to the clinical course, the groups "stable graft function without complication", "allograft rejection", "cytomegalovirus infection", "systemic extrarenal bacterial infection", "urinary tract infection" and "pyelonephritis" were created. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The activation of the immune system in different ways depending on the trigger substance (alloantigen, virus, bacterium) and the possibility to differentiate systemic and local processes cause typical patterns of interleukin levels in serum and urine in conjunction with the above mentioned complications after kidney transplantation. Cytomegalovirus infections and systemic extrarenal bacterial infections differ from rejection by the unchanged urine interleukins IL 6 and IL 8, the local urinary tract infections differ from rejection by the unchanged serum interleukins. Acute pyelonephritis differs from rejection by the significantly higher serum IL 6 level. During our daily clinical work, the practical interleukin determinations were proven to be an important tool for early and differential diagnosis of complications after kidney transplantation.
Diagnosis, Differential↗
Laparoscopic treatment of lymphoceles in patients after renal transplantation.
Postoperative lymphoceles after renal transplantation appear in up to 18% of patients, followed by individual indisposition, pain or impaired graft function. Therapeutic options are percutaneous drainage, needle aspiration with sclerosing therapy, or internal surgical drainage by conventional or laparoscopic approach. The laparoscopic procedure offers short hospitalisation time and quick postoperative recovery. From 1993 to 1997, 16 patients underwent laparoscopic fenestration of a post-renal transplant lymphocele, and were presented in a retrospective analysis. Three patients have had previous abdominal surgery. Following preoperative ultrasound and CT scan, 16 patients underwent laparoscopic drainage after drainage and staining of the lymphocele with methylene blue. No conversion was necessary. Mean operation time was 42 min, no intraoperative complications were seen. Oral nutrition and immunosuppression were continued on the day of surgery, and patients were discharged between the 2nd and 5th (median hospital stay 3.3 d) day after surgery. No recurrence was evident in a follow-up time of 15-54 months (median 31.4 months). Renal function remained unchanged in all patients postoperatively.
Drainage↗
Laparoscopic nephroureterectomy to exclude upper urinary tract malignancy associated with analgesic nephropathy.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Analgesic abuse is a potential cause of end-stage renal disease. Such patients bear an elevated risk of developing malignancies, predominantly transitional-cell carcinoma. We report our experience with laparoscopic nephroureterectomy carried out in patients with analgesic nephropathy to exclude upper urinary tract malignancy. All patients were scheduled to be put on the waiting list for cadaveric renal transplantation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Since 1996, nine women and two men with a long-term history of analgesic abuse have undergone laparoscopic nephroureterectomy at our hospital. The median age was 63 years (range 51-70 years). All patients had developed end-stage renal failure secondary to heavy analgesic abuse with a median duration of 14 years (range 7-40 years). The median interval from the beginning of hemodialysis to laparoscopic nephroureterectomy was 36 months (range 6-76 months). RESULTS: The median operative time was 99 minutes (range 55-170 minutes). There were no conversions to open surgery. Two complications occurred, and three patients required blood transfusions. The median hospital stay lasted 5 days (range 2-12 days), and the median convalescence was 20 days (range 6-44 days). In seven patients, histopathologic examination of the kidney revealed changes attributable to analgesic abuse. None of the patients had a transitional-cell carcinoma, but in two patients, a renal-cell carcinoma stage pT1cN0cM0 grade 2 was detected. CONCLUSION: Patients with analgesic nephropathy bear an elevated risk for the development of transitional-cell or renal-cell carcinoma. In these patients, laparoscopic nephroureterectomy combines minimally operative invasiveness with a maximum of diagnostic safety.
Aged↗
Laparoscopic nephrectomy in young-old, old-old, and oldest-old adults.
BACKGROUND: This study reports findings for laparoscopic nephrectomy in comparison with open nephrectomy in geriatric patients. METHODS: Since 1993, a total of 249 patients have undergone nephrectomy for benign disease at the Medical University of Lübeck, Germany. In 11 patients older than 65 years, a laparoscopic nephrectomy was performed (in the majority via a transperitoneal approach), and 42 patients older than 65 years underwent an open-flank nephrectomy. Clinical parameters were evaluated in comparison with both groups and stratified according to age groups. RESULTS: With respect to operative results (operative duration and pre- and postoperative hemoglobin levels), no relevant differences were observed between the laparoscopy group and the open-nephrectomy group, even when stratified according to patient age. However, patients in the laparoscopy group demonstrated a significant advantage concerning blood loss and the number of required blood transfusions, regardless of age. In addition, patients after laparoscopy showed advantages in the postoperative course. Benefits were proven for the analgesic consumption, hospital stay, and convalescence parameters. Although complication rates were comparable in both groups, an increase was observed in both groups for patients aged between 75 and 84 years. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic nephrectomy offers comparable operative results (with reduced blood loss and less need for blood transfusions) when compared with open surgery. Significant advantages can be demonstrated in the postoperative course, and especially geriatric patients benefit from these aspects of the minimally invasive approach. Laparoscopy should be regarded as the primary therapeutic option for nephrectomy for benign disease in these patients.
Age Factors↗
Nonrandomized comparison of open flank versus laparoscopic nephrectomy in 249 patients with benign renal disease.
OBJECTIVES: We report the results from a nonrandomized comparison of open flank versus laparoscopic nephrectomy in patients with benign renal disease. METHODS: From January 1993 to December 1997, 249 nephrectomies for benign renal disease were performed at our institution. There were 118 patients in the open flank nephrectomy group (median age 58.5, range 8-89 years) and 131 patients in the laparoscopic nephrectomy group (median age 40, range 16-73 years). Clinical parameters such as operative times, blood loss, transfusion rates, conversion and complication rates, start of oral intake, analgesic consumption, duration of hospitalization and convalescence and short-term mortality were compared among both groups. RESULTS: Median operative time in the open flank nephrectomy group was 90 (range 30-240) min and also 90 (range 41-210) min in the laparoscopic nephrectomy group. In the laparoscopy group 8 patients were converted to open surgery (6.1%). There were 27 complications (20.6%) in the laparoscopic nephrectomy group compared to 30 complications (25.4%) in the open flank nephrectomy group. Postoperatively, patients in the laparoscopic nephrectomy group required less morphine sulfate equivalent (12 vs. 20 mg) for pain control and they had a shorter hospital stay (4 vs. 10 days) and convalescence (24 vs. 36 days). The postoperative parameters are given as medians and reached statistically significant differences in favor of laparoscopic nephrectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic nephrectomy results in a significantly briefer postoperative course when compared to open flank nephrectomy. As a matter of fact laparoscopy in urology is still a center-related procedure and even in these centers only a minority of urologists practice laparoscopy. However, in experienced centers the laparoscopic technique should be offered to patients with benign renal disease who are scheduled for elective nephrectomy.
Adolescent↗
Clinical usefulness of free PSA in early detection of prostate cancer.
OBJECTIVE: Measurement of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is widely used as an aid in early detection of prostate cancer. Most patients with prostate cancer and a PSA level less than 10.0 ng/ml have early-stage disease. Thus, the detection of prostate cancer in its potentially curable stages requires the use of low PSA cutoffs, inevitably leading to many unnecessary biopsies. The combined use of free PSA and total PSA increases specificity of early detection. To develop risk assessment guidelines and a cutoff value of ratio of free (f) to total (t) PSA with a high predictive value for prostate cancer in men to whom the test would be applied in real life practice, a multicenter early detection trial was initiated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In one week in November 1997, 963 urologists prospectively examined 11,644 men between 45 and 75 years by digital rectal examination (DRE) and prostate-specific antigen with 4.0 ng/ml as cutoff. Data of physical examination were collected by questionnaire. At this time participants were not aware of their PSA values. Suspicious findings were further investigated with sextant biopsy. Prostate volume was determined with transrectal ultrasound (TRUS). Different cutoff levels were correlated to age and detection rate. RESULTS: From1,115 biopsied men, the data of 633 men fulfilled the criteria DRE-negative, TRUS-estimated volume, and PSA 4.0-10.0 ng/ml. In that cohort 91 cancers were detected. Percentage of fPSA was significantly more predictive of cancer than tPSA (p < 0.001). The area under the ROC curve was 0.72 for percent fPSA (% fPSA) and 0.62 for total PSA. The cancer risk nearly doubled using a cutoff of 10% fPSA, the median %PSA level of the detected cancers. A better discrimination of cancer and noncancer especially in the age group above 70 years is possible. Using a cutoff of 16% fPSA increases positive predictive value (PPV) to 25% missing only 4% of cancers. Nearly 45% of the biopsies could be avoided. In the age group 45-69 years, a cutoff of 20% fPSA leads to PPV of 15%, missing 6% of cancers. Unnecessary biopsies could be avoided in 12%. CONCLUSIONS: Using % fPSA in early detection of prostate cancer reduces the number of unnecessary biopsies, especially in men with negative rectal examination in the PSA range of 4.0-10.0 ng/ml. In order to diminish biopsy rate in men 70 years or older a cutoff of 16% fPSA should be used. A cutoff of 20% fPSA in men younger than 70 years is recommended to increase sensitivity in that age group.
Aged↗
Value of acute-phase proteins in the differential diagnosis of acute scrotum.
OBJECTIVES: The evaluation of patients with an acute scrotum is primarily based on physical examination, imaging studies, as well as blood and urine tests. However, the differential diagnosis may be difficult in some cases. In a retrospective study, we investigated the value of acutephase proteins in serum and plasma from patients with an acute scrotum. METHODS: A total of 104 patients (epididymitis n=52, testicular tumor n=17, testicular torsion n = 11, other conditions n = 24) with an acute scrotum were included in this study. In all patients the acute-phase proteins C-reactive protein (CRP), haptoglobin, alpha1-acid glycoprotein and transferrin in serum as well as fibrinogen in plasma were determined by turbidimetric analysis. The results were compared to the clinical findings, routine blood and urine tests and ultrasound. RESULTS: Patients with an epididymitis showed at least a 4-fold elevation of CRP except for 2 cases (median 63.2 mg/l). In these patients, the sensitivity of CRP was 96.2%, the specificity 94.2%, the negative predictive value 94.2% and the positive predictive value 94.3%. Patients with a testicular tumor had no significant elevation of CRP (median 9 mg/l) as well as those with a testicular torsion (median 5 mg/l) except for 1 patient. The difference between patients with epididymitis and those with noninflammatory conditions was statistically significant (p<0.001, Kruskal-Wallis test and Tukey-Kramer test). The remaining parameters (haptoglobin, fibrinogen, a1-acid glycoprotein, transferrin, white blood count, body temperature and ultrasound) were less sensitive and specific. CONCLUSIONS: Acute-phase proteins (especially C-reactive protein) are helpful in differentiating epididymitis from noninflammatory conditions like testicular torsion or tumor. Turbidimetric analysis of these proteins is rapid, easy and inexpensive.
Acute Disease↗
[Report at the Annual Meeting of the Kidney Transplantation Working Group of the Graduate and Continuing Education Committee of German Urologists. Lübeck 24-26 June 1999].
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Education, Medical, Continuing↗
[Early detection of prostatic carcinoma in urologic practice with digital rectal examination and prostate-specific antigen. Early Detection Project Group].
For the early detection of prostate cancer, a patient should undergo digital rectal examination (DRE) and PSA investigation. Follow-up of increased PSA levels detects nearly 80% of cancers. Positive predictive value of suspicious DRE and PSA is about 50%. Whereas in the first evaluation of this case-finding trial about 70% of the patients had organ-confined cancers, nearly all of the detected cancers in the follow-up investigation were organ confined. The increased number of organ-confined cancers detected in early periodical examinations can lead to a reduction of mortality and morbidity from prostate cancer.
Adult↗
[Laparoscopic nephrectomy in geriatric patients: comparison with conventional nephrectomy].
INTRODUCTION: We report our experience with laparoscopic nephrectomy in comparison to open nephrectomy in geriatric patients. The laparoscopic technique is presented and the results are discussed with respect to the data from the current literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Since 1993, a total of 249 patient have undergone a nephrectomy for benign renal disease. In 131 patients a laparoscopic nephrectomy (in most cases via a transperitoneal approach) was performed and in 118 patients an open nephrectomy via a flank incision. Clinical parameters were compared between both groups as well as with respect to different age groups. RESULTS: There were no differences in terms of operative results (operative time, pre- and postoperative hemoglobin) between the laparoscopy group and open nephrectomy group as well as among the different age groups. Patients in the laparoscopy group demonstrated significant advantages with respect to blood loss, transfusion rate, analgesic consumption, hospital stay, and convalescence. These advantages were not related to patient age. The complication rate was comparable for both groups; however, both groups showed an elevation of the complication rate in the age groups 75 to 84 years. The mortality rate within the first 30 days after nephrectomy was 1.7% in the open nephrectomy group. CONCLUSIONS: The laparoscopic nephrectomy offers comparable operative results (with less blood loss and a lower transfusion rate) when compared to open nephrectomy. In terms of postoperative parameters, patients in the laparoscopy group have significant advantages. Especially geriatric patients benefit from these advantages and, therefore, the laparoscopic approach should be the preferred technique for a nephrectomy in these patients.
Aged↗
Use of frozen-thawed testicular sperm for intracytoplasmic sperm injection.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility of using frozen-thawed testicular spermatozoa for intracytoplasmic sperm injection. DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. SETTING: A university hospital. PATIENT(S): One hundred seventy-five azoospermic men participating in a routine intracytoplasmic sperm injection program. INTERVENTION(S): The men underwent testicular biopsy for cryopreservation of tissue to be used in consecutive intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment cycles. Their female partners underwent controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for conventional IVF treatment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Fertilization and pregnancy rates. RESULT(S): In 77% of the patients, spermatozoa could be harvested from the testis by an open testicular biopsy technique and used for intracytoplasmic sperm injection after freezing and thawing of testicular tissue. Histopathologic evaluation revealed a Sertoli cell-only pattern in 21%, maturation arrest in 60%, and hypospermatogenesis in 19% of the patients. In 2. 9% of the patients, carcinoma in situ or a germ cell tumor was detected. In all patients, viable spermatozoa could be visualized after the tissue samples were thawed. One hundred thirty-five intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment cycles were performed, with a fertilization rate of 45% and a clinical pregnancy rate of 30% per oocyte retrieved. CONCLUSION(S): The use of frozen-thawed testicular tissue allows ovarian stimulation of the female partner to be timed and avoids cancellation of ovum pick-up when spermatozoa cannot be retrieved.
Chromosome Aberrations↗
Outcome of ICSI cycles using frozen-thawed surgically obtained spermatozoa in poor responders to ovarian stimulation: cancellation or proceeding to ICSI?
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the ICSI outcome of the patients who produced four follicles or less after ovarian stimulation using frozen-thawed surgically obtained spermatozoa. STUDY DESIGN: The patient cohort of this study was composed of a carefully selected group of 20 men suffering from obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermia and in whom spermatozoa had been seen in their harvested epididymal aspirates and testicular tissues and the cryopreserved specimens had been used for subsequent ICSI cycles. This group of men represent those in whom the female partners produced only four follicles or less after ovarian stimulation. RESULTS: For the cases of obstructive azoospermia with MESA (n=6) a total of nine cycles was carried out. Four couples went through one cycle, one couple underwent two cycles, one couple accomplished three cycles. Out of the nine cycles, seven went to embryo transfer. No pregnancy occurred in the MESA-ICSI group of patients. The mean+/-S.D. number of oocytes per cycle was 2.556+/-1.236, the mean+/-S.D. number of embryos per transfer was 1.444+/-1.014. Two couples did not have an embryo replacement because of absence of fertilisation. The mean+/-S. D. number of gonadotropin ampoules was 53.88+/-37.30 and the mean+/-S.D. duration of ovarian stimulation was 13.38+/-4.534 days. For the cases of non-obstructive azoospermia with TESE (n=14) a total of 16 cycles was carried out. Thirteen couples went through one cycle, one couple accomplished three cycles. Out of the 16 cycles, 11 cycles went to embryo transfer. One pregnancy occurred in the TESE-ICSI group of patients, which produced live offspring. The mean+/-S.D. number of oocytes per cycle was 3.00+/-1.211, the mean+/-S.D. number of embryos per transfer was 1.313+/-1.195. Five couples did not have an embryo replacement, four of them because of absence of fertilisation and one because of abnormal fertilisation (3 PN). The mean+/-S.D. number of gonadotropin ampoules was 81. 77+/-53.40 and the mean+/-S.D. duration of ovarian stimulation was 16.71+/-3.667 days. CONCLUSION: In our opinion, these data show that it is possible to achieve satisfactory fertilisation rates using frozen-thawed epididymal and testicular spermatozoa obtained from men with obstructive or non-obstructive azoospermia, but the limiting factor in reaching the stage of embryo transfer is the poor ovarian response to stimulation induction. It therefore seems preferable to cancel these cycles, in the hope that a better response might be obtained in a subsequent cycle, avoiding in this way financial and emotional implications.
Adult↗
Why is urological laparoscopy minimally invasive?
OBJECTIVES: Laparoscopic procedures have been developed and established with the view that a similar operative effect can be achieved with less traumatization, especially as far as systemic stress response is concerned. We report a prospective, controlled, nonrandomized animal and patient study to determine the systemic response to laparoscopic and open surgical procedures. METHODS: In the animal study, 26 female pigs underwent either a laparoscopic bilateral varix ligation followed by bilateral nephrectomy (group I), sole introduction of trocars (group II) or sole establishment of an open surgical approach (group III). In the patient study, 145 patients underwent various laparoscopic procedures (nephrectomy, renal cyst marsupialization, varix ligation), open surgical procedures (nephrectomy, inguinal orchiectomy) or extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL). The serum parameters interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10 and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured before, during and after the operative procedure. RESULTS: In animals and patients, laparoscopy resulted in significantly lower serum levels of CRP during and after the operative procedure. Animals in group I showed a 5-fold elevation, in group II a 3-fold elevation and in group III a 9-fold elevation of CRP. In patients, the increase of CRP was twice as high after open unilateral nephrectomy than after laparoscopic unilateral or bilateral nephrectomy. IL-6 showed less marked elevation during laparoscopy, ESWL and minor operative procedures like laparoscopic varix ligation or inguinal orchiectomy when compared to an open unilateral nephrectomy. The parameter IL-10 showed no significant differences among the patient groups. CONCLUSIONS: The extent of the acute phase reaction to the operative trauma correlates much more convincingly to the approach than to the extent of the procedure. Only larger operations like nephrectomy trigger a systemic acute phase reaction, which can be limited by the laparoscopic access. For minor operative procedures like varix ligation or exploration of cryptorchidism, laparoscopy offers technical advantages rather than minimal invasiveness.
Acute-Phase Reaction↗