Incorporating robot-assisted prostatectomy at a Veterans Affairs hospital: outcomes.

Purpose: To evaluate a unique method of extended mentorship in robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) at VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS). As novel robotic technologies diffuse into surgical practice, developing safe apprenticeships remains a challenge.

Patients And Methods: Between October 2008 and November 2010, 90 RALPs were prospectively divided into three phases: Proctored, Independent, and Instructor.

Magnetic resonance imaging for intratesticular and extratesticular scrotal lesions.

Introduction: To evaluate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) utility in intratesticular and extratesticular scrotal diseases.

Materials And Methods: Two radiologists retrospectively reviewed images of patients who underwent ultrasound followed by MRI, categorizing them as intratesticular or extratesticular and malignant, benign, indeterminate, or inadequate study. For patients who underwent surgical excision, pathologic results were also correlated to the presurgical ultrasound and MRI diagnoses.

Trends in the surgical management of localized renal masses: thermal ablation, partial and radical nephrectomy in the USA, 1998-2008.

Objective: To evaluate the diffusion of nephron-sparing modalities (NSM) for the treatment of renal neoplasms in the USA over the last decade and to identify the factors associated with renal procedure selection.

Patients And Methods: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample was utlized to identify patients undergoing cryo/radiofrequency ablation (C/RFA), radical nephrectomy (RN) and partial nephrectomy (PN) from 1998 to 2008. Annual trends in procedure prevalence were determined.

Penile Kaposis sarcoma in the state of California.

Introduction: Penile Kaposi's sarcoma (PKS) is a rare and poorly characterized disease. Kaposi's sarcoma is common in HIV disease and is an AIDS-defining illness. This study aimed to review epidemiologic characteristics and changes in the incidence of PKS using a total population-based database.

Prostate laser vaporization in men with urinary retention.

Objective: • To evaluate the safety and efficacy of laser vaporization of the prostate (LVP) with several different wavelengths for urinary retention.

Patients And Methods: • A cohort study of patients undergoing LVP from 2005 to 2009 at a single institution was performed. • Outcomes were compared in those patients with urinary retention versus those without, using t-tests, Mann-Whitney U-test, chi-squared test and Fisher's exact test as appropriate.

Comparison of laparoendoscopic single-site, conventional laparoscopic, and open nephrectomy in a pediatric population.

Introduction: We provide a single-institution comparison of open, conventional laparoscopic (CL) and laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) nephrectomy in children.

Methods: We identified all nephrectomy cases occurring at Rady Children's Hospital from July 2007 to March 2010. Exclusion criteria included redo/bilateral operations, malignancy, transplant nephrectomy, or complex urogenital anomalies.

Sex differences in renal cell cancer presentation and survival: an analysis of the National Cancer Database, 1993-2004.

Purpose: We analyzed patterns of disease presentation and outcome of renal cell carcinomas by gender using data from the National Cancer Database during a 10-year period. We hypothesized that women presented with lower stage disease and had increased survival than men due to increased imaging.

Materials And Methods: The National Cancer Database is a nationwide oncology data set that currently captures approximately 75% of all newly diagnosed cancer cases from more than 1,400 facility based cancer registries in the United States annually since 1985.