Oncological outcomes in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: the value of PSA density as a preoperative predictive factor.

Background: Pretreatment assessment of patients diagnosed with localized prostate cancer (PCa) is essential for therapeutic decision-making. Currently available staging systems based on prostate-specific antigen (PSA), Gleason score, and clinical stage allow for determining the prognostic characteristics of these patients. Several studies have evaluated the preoperative use of prostate-specific antigen density (PSAD) as a prognostic factor for further risk stratification.

Robotic colposacropexy.

Objectives: To review the role of robot- assisted laparoscopic colposacropexy (RALCS) as a treatment for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) accordingly with the available literature and our own experience.

Methods: We have analyzed the studies with the results of robot-assisted colposacropexy (RALCS) and others in which this technique is compared with the abdominal (ACS) and/or the laparoscopic approach (LCS), including our own series. The main data collected are surgical time, blood loss, complications, clinical outcomes, quality of life and the different costs of LCS versus RALCS.

An intervention to improve the adequacy of referrals from primary care to a department of urology.

Introduction: This study analyses the effect of two interventions implemented in order to improve adherence to the terms of a protocol for referring patients from primary care to a urology department.

Material And Method: A telephone counselling line for professionals was implemented, and joint training sessions were held (twice, at six-month intervals). The terms "appropriate" and "inappropriate" were used to identify referrals complying with the locally developed protocol and those that did not, respectively.

[The usefulness of laser in the treatment of urethral stenosis].

Introduction: Optical urethrotomy was introduced by Sachse in 1973 and it has a registered long-term recurrence rate of 75-80%. This stimulated the search for new therapies with less recurrences. Several types of laser were tried: Nd:YAG, KTP, Argon, Ho:YAG, diode,.

[Systematic review about the usefulness and prognostic value of the p53 oncoprotein and proliferation marker Ki-67 for upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma].

Objectives: To perform a systematic review on the expression and prognostic value of the p 53 oncoprotein and Ki 67 proliferation marker in transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract.

Methods: A systematic review of cohort, prospective and retrospective studies from 1/1/1990 to 11/24/2003 has been undertaken, performing a bibliographic search both manual and electronic in the main databases. 632 works were found using the keywords "ureter, renal and pelvis tumor", and 14 with "ureter, renal and pelvis tumor, and immunohistochemical".