Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy using FloSeal for hemostasis: technique and experiences in 102 patients.

Objectives: The authors report their techniques, perioperative data, and oncological outcome for laparoscopic partial nephrectomy in a single-center experience with 3 different surgeons.

Patients And Methods: A total of 102 consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic transperitoneal partial nephrectomy for exophytic tumors using FloSeal for hemostasis. Mean age was 58 years (range = 26-79 years), and median tumor size was 2.

Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy in renal cell cancer--results and reproducibility by different surgeons in a high volume laparoscopic center.

Objectives: With increasing surgical skills and novel methods of hemostasis laparoscopic Partial nephrectomy has become an attractive treatment option for selected renal tumors. We report techniques, perioperative data and oncological outcome in a single center experience with three different surgeons.

Patients And Methods: Between March 2001 and October 2004, 44 patients underwent laparoscopic transperitoneal partial nephrectomy for exophytic tumors.

Phase II trial of weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin chemotherapy in patients with advanced transitional cell cancer.

Objective: We investigated the efficacy and toxicity of a first-line combination chemotherapy using weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin in patients with metastatic transitional cell cancer (TCC).

Patients And Methods: Thirty-three patients with advanced measurable TCC of the urothelium were entered onto this trial. Patients were treated once weekly with a combination therapy of paclitaxel (100mg/m(2)) and carboplatin (AUC 2, according to the Calvert formula).

Laparoscopic radical cystectomy with continent urinary diversion (rectosigmoid pouch) performed completely intracorporeally: an intermediate functional and oncologic analysis.

Objectives: To present our experience with the first series of rectosigmoid pouch creation performed completely laparoscopically for continent urinary diversion after radical cystectomy to treat transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. We evaluated the intermediate functional and oncologic outcomes.

Methods: Between April 2000 and January 2004, 20 patients underwent laparoscopic radical cystectomy with urinary diversion for transitional cell carcinoma at the Department of Urology, Charite Hospital, Campus Mitte.

Thermoradiotherapy using interstitial self-regulating thermoseeds: an intermediate analysis of a phase II trial.

Objective: Thermoradiotherapy in the treatment of prostate cancer is based on a variety of experimental and clinical phase I data which have proven the synergistic effects of this combination. We report on a phase II trial in a special hyperthermia research group (SFB 273) of the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, DFG) to determine feasibility, acute toxicity and efficacy of this combination for prostate cancer.

Methods: 57 patients with localized prostate cancer were treated with interstitial hyperthermia using cobalt-palladium thermoseeds and conformal radiation between July 1997 and December 2000.

Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy: techniques, results and oncological outcome in 125 consecutive cases.

Objectives: Renal cell carcinoma is likely to become one of the most important indication for laparoscopic surgery. The laparoscopic technique combines the benefits of minimal invasive approach with established surgical principles. In our institution the laparoscopic transperitoneal approach with intact specimen removal has become the standard technique for radical nephrectomies.

Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy--an analysis of factors affecting operating time.

Objectives: Although laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) is accomplished within 2 to 3 hours by experienced surgeons, less is known about the operating times (OTs) for recently trained surgeons or the influence of additional factors. As of November 2001 at our institution, two senior surgeons had each performed more than 100 cases of LRP and two junior surgeons had each performed fewer than 30. We prospectively studied the next 100 consecutive LRPs to assess the factors influencing the OT.

Effects of 13-cis-retinoic acid on chemoimmunotherapy of metastatic renal cell carcinoma--results of a retrospective analysis.

Chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) with interleukin-2, interferon-alpha2a, and 5-fluorouracil is an accepted treatment option of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Because of the enhancement of the antiproliferative effects of interferon-alpha2a, 13-cis-retinoic acid (13-CRA) might be of potential usefulness for immunotherapy. We have investigated the effect of 13-CRA in patients treated with chemoimmunotherapy.

Positive margins after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: a prospective study of 100 cases performed by 4 different surgeons.

Objective: Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) has been refined by experienced surgeons into a competitive treatment alternative for localized prostate cancer. Less is known, however, about the outcomes of "learning curve" cases from newly trained surgeons. We prospectively studied 100 cases of LRP performed by 2 senior and 2 junior surgeons and addressed the rates of positive margins-an important early endpoint of oncologic efficacy.