Faculty Bibliography

Prior to the description of the anatomic nerve sparing radical prostatectomy, most men were rendered impotent following radical perineal or retropubic prostatectomies. The fact that these 'erection' nerves were localized outside the prostate suggested the feasibility of totally eradicating localized prostate cancer with preservation of erectile function in selected cases. All of these studies collectively suggest that unilateral excision of neurovascular bundles will compromise potency rates in between 15% to 20% of cases. It seems logical to report the risk of extracapsular extension independently for the two sides of the prostate, especially since independent decisions are made relative to the nerve sparing status of the different sides. Extracapsular extension is a risk factor for positive surgical margins. Positive surgical margins represent an independent risk factor for biochemical recurrence following radical prostatectomy. The surgeon is left with the dilemma of whether to maximize potency at the risk of compromising cancer control. In cases with a 30% risk of side specific extracapsular extension, using the above assumption, the risk of developing a positive surgical margin and biochemical recurrence is only 4.7% and 2%, respectively

BACKGROUND: Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) has been the gold standard of the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In recent years there has been a significant shift in the treatment of BPH and guidelines emphasize minimally invasive surgery as a new treatment option. Minimal invasive technologies (MITs), such as transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT), laser ablations, transurethral needle ablation (TUNA) have emerged as an alternative to the TURP. OBJECTIVES: To assess the retreatment rates of the most commonly used minimal invasive techniques. SEARCH STRATEGY: Durability articles were selected by using defined search terms using PubMed as search engine. RESULTS: Comparing to the overall retreatment rates of MITs the results show that TUMT, holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) and contact laser vaporization (CLV) are among the treatments with the lowest retreatment rates. Studies show no significant differences in retreatment rates between TUMT and TURP. CONCLUSION: A review of the current literature, long term results and retreatment rates of MITs shows large variability in outcomes and retreatment rates. The true definition of a MIT remains unclear. High energy TUMT deserves reconsideration in clinical practices, due to low retreatment rates and the low need of anesthetics

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of local compression and topical epinephrine in controlling perioperative bleeding during open radical retropubic prostatectomy (ORRP) and its impact on the degree of urinary extravasation on initial postoperative cystogram. METHODS: Between September 2005 to March 2009, 476 men underwent ORRP performed by a single surgeon. Group 1 (n = 200) underwent ORRP between September 2005 and November 2006 without pelvic compression; Group 2 (n = 76) underwent ORRP between November 2006 and May 2007 and a dry laparotomy pad was positioned in the pelvis immediately prior to abdominal wound closure; Group 3 (n = 200) underwent ORRP between May 2007 and March 2009 with a epinephrine soaked laparotomy pad positioned in the pelvis prior to abdominal wound closure. Hematocrit values were obtained prior to anesthesia induction, upon arrival in the recovery room and at hospital discharge in order to estimate intraoperative and postoperative bleeding. The number of allogenic and autologous units transfused was recorded. The utility of compressing the pelvis with a pad was examined by comparing estimated postoperative bleeding between Group 1 versus Groups 2 and 3 and the hemostatic utility of soaking the pad in epinephrine was examined by comparing Group 2 versus 3. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and pulse measurements were obtained at baseline and 5 and 10 minutes after introducing the epinephrine pad. The relationship between estimated blood loss and degree of extravasation on initial postoperative cystogram was investigated. RESULTS: Estimated intraoperative, postoperative and total blood loss (mean change in Hct) was 12.2, 2.3, 14.2, in Group 1, 10.0, 1.5, 11.1 in Group 2, and 10.8, 2.1, and 12.6 in Group 3. Estimated intraoperative and total blood loss was significantly less in the men treated with a compression pad (Groups 2 and 3) versus no pad (Group 1). There were no significant differences in number of patients transfused, the number of units transfused or the degree of extravasation on postoperative cystograms between Group 1 versus Group 2 and 3 or Group 2 versus 3. However, postoperative bleeding was significantly less in Group 2 compared to Group 3. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure and pulse values were unchanged from baseline after epinephrine use. CONCLUSIONS: Local compression of the pelvis with or without epinephrine prior to abdominal wound closure does not appear to have beneficial effects on reducing postoperative bleeding and decreasing the degree of urinary extravasation on cystogram following ORRP. While the use of topical epinephrine appears to be safe and relatively inexpensive, at the concentrations used in our study it does not appear to facilitate postoperative hemostasis

INTRODUCTION: It is believed that men diagnosed with prostate cancer and a low baseline serum testosterone (BST) may have more aggressive disease, and it is frequently recommended they forego testosterone replacement therapy. We used two large Phase III trials involving androgen deprivation therapy and external beam radiation therapy to assess the significance of a BST. METHODS AND MATERIALS: All patients with a BST and complete data (n = 2,478) were included in this analysis and divided into four categories: 'Very Low BST' (VLBST) </=16.5th percentile of BST (</=248 ng/dL; n = 408); 'Low BST' (LBST) >16.5th percentile and </=33rd percentile (>248 ng/dL but </=314 ng/dL; n = 415); 'Average BST' (ABST) >33rd percentile and </=67th percentile (314-437 ng/dL; n = 845); and 'High BST' (HBST) >67th percentile (>437 ng/dL; n = 810). Outcomes included overall survival, distant metastasis, biochemical failure, and cause-specific survival. All outcomes were adjusted for the following covariates: treatment arm, BST, age (<70 vs. >/=70), prostate-specific antigen (PSA; <10 vs. 10 </= PSA <20 vs. 20 </=), Gleason score (2-6 vs. 7 vs. 8-10); T stage (T1-T2 vs. T3-T4), and Karnofsky Performance Status (60-90 vs. 100). RESULTS: On multivariable analysis age, Gleason score, and PSA were independently associated with an increased risk of biochemical failure, distant metastasis and a reduced cause-specific and overall survival (p < 0.05), but BST was not. CONCLUSIONS: BST does not affect outcomes in men treated with external beam radiation therapy and androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer

Study Type - Diagnostic (exploratory cohort)Level of Evidence 2b OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and up-standing ultrasonography (USUS) for the detection of inguinal hernias (IHs) before open radical retropubic prostatectomy (ORRP) and to assess factors associated with the presence of IHs in these men. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1 July 2007 to 1 February 2009, 164 men underwent preoperative evaluation for ORRP by one surgeon. Of these men 113 (69%) were evaluated for IHs by physical examination (PE), USUS and MRI. In all 226 groins were examined. Any IH diagnosed by any method was considered a true positive. The sensitivity, negative predictive value (NPV), and concordance were calculated for the three diagnostic methods. Possible predictive factors of IHs were evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 226 groins evaluated, 72 (32%) IHs were diagnosed. USUS had the greatest sensitivity (69.4%) and the highest NPV (87.5%). MRI had fair agreement with PE and USUS, while USUS and PE had moderate agreement with each other. No factor was associated with an increased likelihood of preoperative diagnosis of IH. CONCLUSIONS: This study was limited by the lack of a reference standard to diagnose IH. USUS was the most sensitive method for the detection of IH. We recommend that all men undergoing ORRP should be evaluated for IHs by PE and at least one imaging method and that IHs be repaired at the time of ORRP, obviating the need for a second surgical procedure

PURPOSE: Few groups have examined satisfaction after prostate cancer treatment. We determined 1) predictors of satisfaction between 3 months and 2 years after open radical retropubic prostatectomy, and 2) whether these factors are time dependent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective cohort study included 1,542 men who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy from October 2000 to July 2008. The primary outcome was satisfaction self-assessed at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. We used multivariate logistic regression and repeated measures analysis to determine predictors of satisfaction, adjusting for demographic and clinical characteristics. RESULTS: Median followup was 24 months. About 93% of the men were satisfied. On multivariate analysis men were significantly less satisfied at 3 months when the urinary catheter was indwelling for 3 weeks or greater (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.10-0.54), or they required intervention for anastomotic stricture (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.11-0.49) or experienced 4-point or greater worsening in American Urological Association symptom score (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.13-0.49). At 6 months worsening urinary function (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.13-0.88) and biochemical failure (OR 0.15, 95% CI 0.05-0.43) were significantly associated with satisfaction. Worsening sexual function became significant at 12 and 24 months. These associations were confirmed on repeated measures analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Most men were satisfied after radical retropubic prostatectomy. Satisfaction determinants showed a nonsignificant trend toward time dependence. Postoperative factors, such as the duration of indwelling Foley catheterization, were associated with short-term satisfaction while sexual and urinary function, and biochemical failure were associated with long-term satisfaction. Based on high satisfaction rates open radical retropubic prostatectomy is an excellent treatment for prostate cancer