Evaluation of the learning curve for thulium laser enucleation of the prostate with the aid of a simulator tool but without tutoring: comparison of two surgeons with different levels of endoscopic experience.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the learning curve for thulium laser enucleation of the prostate (ThuLEP) for two surgeons with different levels of urological endoscopic experience.

Methods: From June 2012 to August 2013, ThuLEP was performed on 100 patients in our institution. We present the results of a prospective evaluation during which we analyzed data related to the learning curves for two surgeons of different levels of experience.

Immunohistochemical detection and localization of somatostatin receptor subtypes in prostate tissue from patients with bladder outlet obstruction.

Background And Aim Of The Study: Scant information on the cellular distribution of the five somatostatin receptor (SSTR) subtypes in the normal prostate and in neoplasms of the prostate has been reported in very few studies in which techniques, such as in situ hybridization histochemistry, autoradiography, and more recently immunohistochemistry, have been applied. The aim of the study was to examine immunohistochemically the distribution and localization of these 5 subtypes in the various tissue components in normal prostate.

Materials: The study was conducted in 14 surgical specimens of normal prostate tissue from adenomectomy specimens from patients with bladder outlet obstruction.

Thermal ablation of small renal tumors--present status.

Thermal ablation of renal tumors is achieved by the delivery of extreme heat or extreme cold directly to the lesion in order to obtain in situ destruction of the malignant cells without having to remove the entire organ. Cryotherapy and radiofrequency ablation are becoming more and more attractive for the treatment of small lesions in select cases. Other types of energy such as microwave, laser and high intensity ultrasound have also been used to destroy kidney lesions but must still be considered in the experimental stage.

Gene expression profiling of renal cell carcinoma: a DNA macroarray analysis.

Objective: To examine differences in gene expression levels between renal cell carcinoma (RCC) tissue and 'normal' appearing renal tissue using a commercially available DNA macroarray.

Materials And Methods: Tissue was obtained from 47 consecutive radical nephrectomies, 29 of which were eligible. DNA macroarrays were analysed on the tumour and normal-appearing control tissue to measure the expression of 1185 cancer-related genes.

Laparoscopic extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy--learning curve of a laparoscopy-naive urologist in a community hospital.

Objectives: To describe the training approach that a laparoscopy-naive general urologist working in a nonteaching hospital used to successfully learn to perform laparoscopic extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy and describe the results obtained in the first 114 cases performed.

Methods: The urologist assisted an experienced laparoscopic surgeon for 20 extraperitoneal radical prostatectomies. During this time, he modified his technique of performing open radical retropubic prostatectomy to facilitate the acquisition of the laparoscopic techniques.