Stratification of Expert vs Novice Laparoscopists Using the Basic Laparoscopic Urologic Surgery (BLUS) Curriculum at a Single Institution.

Purpose: To assess determinants of performance applying the tasks of the Basic Laparoscopic Urologic Surgery (BLUS) skills curriculum administered at a single institution.

Methods: After obtaining institutional review board approval, fourth-year medical students, urology residents (postgraduate year 1-5), and staff attending surgeons from an academic institution were recruited. Participants were grouped by level of experience and evaluated on 4 different BLUS modules testing fundamental laparoscopic techniques from September 2012 to September 2013.

Urinary cystatin C and NGAL as early biomarkers for assessment of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury: a serum marker to replace creatinine?

Purpose: To assess application of cystatin C and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) as biomarkers for renal ischemic injury. We also evaluated the use of allopurinol as a renoprotective agent. A second goal was to assess cystatin C as a biomarker in patients undergoing partial nephrectomy.

Bilateral synchronous sporadic renal masses: intermediate functional and oncological outcomes at a single institution.

Purpose: To review the intermediate term oncologic and functional outcomes after the surgical management of bilateral renal masses (BRM).

Materials And Methods: After obtaining Institutional Review Board approval, the Tulane renal surgery database (n = 890 patients) was queried for patients presenting with synchronous bilateral enhancing renal masses (n = 30 renal units). We performed a retrospective chart review evaluating oncologic and functional outcomes, specifically with respect to local recurrence and metastatic disease.

Leukocyte inflammatory response in a rat urinary bladder regeneration model using porcine small intestinal submucosa scaffold.

Small intestinal submucosa (SIS) is a biodegradable scaffold that supports bladder regeneration after partial cystectomy. We sought to define the inflammatory response present in a rat bladder augmentation model using distal ileal SIS. Fifteen Sprague-Dawley rats underwent hemi-cystectomy followed by anastomosis of a bladder patch of SIS.

Temporal differentiation and maturation of regenerated rat urothelium.

Objective: To determine if porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS)-regenerated urothelium expresses markers of urothelial differentiation, uroplakin and zona occludens-1 (ZO-1), and whether their expression correlates with the histological appearance of the urothelium.

Materials And Methods: In all, 15 rats underwent partial cystectomy and bladder replacement with SIS. Regenerated bladders were harvested at either 2, 7, 14, 28, or 56 days after SIS grafting.