Randomised controlled feasibility trial of retroperitoneal vs transperitoneal robot-assisted partial nephrectomy: the ROPARN study.

Objectives: To assess the feasibility of trial recruitment and confirm that retroperitoneal robotic partial nephrectomy (RRPN) has the same oncological efficacy as transperitoneal robotic partial nephrectomy (TRPN), with time advantages and less peri-operative morbidity, in a randomised controlled trial (RCT).

Patients And Methods: The study was designed as a single-centre, open-label, feasibility RCT. Patients with suspected localised renal cell carcinoma referred for robotic partial nephrectomy were randomised in a 1:1 ratio to receive either TRPN or RRPN.

Functional soft palate reconstruction.

Background: The excision of oropharyngeal carcinoma of more than 50% of the soft palate followed by static reconstruction may result in functional deficits, including velopharyngeal insufficiency, swallowing, and speech difficulties. We describe a functional soft palate reconstruction technique aimed at restoring aeromechanical and acoustic functions, enabling swallowing without nasal regurgitation and speech with low nasalance.

Material And Methods: We developed a new operative technique, using muscle transfer and a free flap to create a dynamic reconstruction.

Complex Ureteral Reconstruction via Open or Robotic Ureteroplasty with a Buccal Mucosa Onlay Graft: A Two-center Comparison.

Background And Objective: Management of a long proximal ureteral stricture is challenging. Buccal mucosal graft (BMG) ureteroplasty is a reliable technique for ureteral reconstruction that avoids the morbidity of bowel interposition or autotransplantation. We compared open and robotic BMG ureteroplasty in a two-center study.

Strigolactones initiate the formation of haustorium-like structures in .

Strigolactones serve as germination signals for several root-parasitic plant species within the Orobanchaceae family. Yet, their role in the life cycle of the facultatively parasitic genus has remained elusive. Here, we demonstrate that strigolactones initiate the formation of haustorium-like structures in .