Ureteroscopy vs laparoscopic ureterolithotomy for large proximal ureteric stone: a randomised trial.

Objective: To compare the outcomes of retrograde flexible ureteroscopy (fURS) with retroperitoneal laparoscopic ureterolithotomy (RLU) for large proximal ureteric stones.

Patients And Methods: A prospective randomised trial was conducted from January 2018 through December 2022 including patients with impacted proximal ureteric stones of 15-25 mm. Patients underwent fURS or RLU.

The bladder microbiota is not significantly altered by intravesical BCG therapy.

Introduction: Bladder microbiota dysbiosis has been associated with several urological disorders. However, dysbiosis markers in bladder cancer have not been identified and little is known about the effect of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) intravesical therapy on the bladder microbiota. In this study, we compared the bladder microbiota of patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) undergoing BCG therapy to nononcological controls.

Urinary microbiota is associated to clinicopathological features in benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Background: The urinary microbiota of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) has been associated with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), however, little is known about urinary microbiota correlations with clinicopathological parameters associated with BPH. Here, we investigate associations between the urinary microbiota and clinical parameters of patients with BPH undergoing surgery.

Methods: Forty-one patients with BPH undergoing surgery were recruited from two medical centers.

Preclinical optimization of a diode laser-based clamp-free partial nephrectomy in a large animal model.

Kidney cancer is a common urologic malignancy with either laparoscopic (LPN) or robotic partial nephrectomy as therapeutic options of choice for localized tumors. However, renal resection and suturing are challenging steps of the procedure that can lead to complications such as prolonged warm ischemia, bleeding, and urinary fistulas. LPN with a diode laser is an efficient technique due to its cutting and/or coagulation attributes.

Dysregulation of the PRUNE2/PCA3 genetic axis in human prostate cancer: from experimental discovery to validation in two independent patient cohorts.

Background: We have previously shown that the long non-coding (lnc)RNA (; formerly ) functions as a trans-dominant negative oncogene by targeting the previously unrecognized prostate cancer suppressor gene (a homolog of the gene), thereby forming a functional unit within a unique allelic locus in human cells. Here, we investigated the / regulatory axis from early (tumorigenic) to late (biochemical recurrence) genetic events during human prostate cancer progression.

Methods: The reciprocal and gene expression relationship in paired prostate cancer and adjacent normal prostate was analyzed in two independent retrospective cohorts of clinically annotated cases post-radical prostatectomy: a single-institutional discovery cohort (n=107) and a multi-institutional validation cohort (n=497).

The influence of interstitial cells of Cajal density in the outcomes of pyeloplasty in adults: A prospective analysis.

Purpose: To evaluate if the density of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in the ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) influences the outcomes of pyeloplasty in adults.

Methods: Twenty-three patients with the diagnosis of ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) that underwent laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty were included. ICC density was measured using immunohistochemistry reaction for c-KIT expression in the resected UPJ segment.

Choice of 16S Ribosomal RNA Primers Impacts Male Urinary Microbiota Profiling.

Accessibility to next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies has enabled the profiling of microbial communities living in distinct habitats. 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing is widely used for microbiota profiling with NGS technologies. Since most used NGS platforms generate short reads, sequencing the full-length 16S rRNA gene is impractical.

Videolaparoscopic prostatectomy in porcine model for training residents.

Introduction:: Surgical training models prepare the resident for a more ethical surgical practice as well as providing a less steep learning curve. In urology, there are well-known models of pyeloplasty simulation, urethro-vesical anastomosis and nephrectomy, which have helped in the training of urology residents (–3). Learning laparoscopic prostatectomy is a difficult surgery and requires advanced surgical skill from the surgeon (4), requires operate without a direct view of the surgical field in a two-dimensional space and with longer instruments (5).

Pyeloplasty in Adults With Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction in Poorly Functioning Kidneys: A Systematic Review.

Objectives: To systematically summarize the available evidence concerning the impact of pyeloplasty on symptoms and differential renal function (DRF) in adults with unilateral UPJO in poorly functioning kidneys (PFK), and to identify potential predictors of kidney function recovery that could help clinicians select candidates for pyeloplasty.

Methods: A literature search (MEDLINE, Embase, Google Scholar, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the WHO Clinical Trials Registry) and systematic review were performed up to September 2020 according to the PRISMA guidelines.

Consensus on Prostate Cancer Treatment of Localized Disease With Very Low, Low, and Intermediate Risk: A Report From the First Prostate Cancer Consensus Conference for Developing Countries (PCCCDC).

Purpose: A group of international urology and medical oncology experts developed and completed a survey on prostate cancer (PCa) in developing countries. The results are reviewed and summarized, and recommendations on consensus statements for very low-, low-, and intermediate-risk PCa focused on developing countries were developed.

Methods: A panel of experts developed more than 300 survey questions of which 66 questions concern the principal areas of interest of this paper: very low, low, and intermediate risk of PCa in developing countries.

Treatment of Localized and Locally Advanced, High-Risk Prostate Cancer: A Report From the First Prostate Cancer Consensus Conference for Developing Countries.

Purpose: To generate and present survey results on important issues relevant to treatment and follow-up of localized and locally advanced, high-risk prostate cancer (PCa) focusing on developing countries.

Methods: A panel of 99 PCa experts developed more than 300 survey questions of which 67 questions concern the main areas of interest of this article: treatment and follow-up of localized and locally advanced, high-risk PCa in developing countries. A larger panel of 99 international multidisciplinary cancer experts voted on these questions to create the recommendations for treatment and follow-up of localized and locally advanced, high-risk PCa in areas of limited resources discussed in this article.

Short-term outcomes of pyeloplasty vs. nephrectomy in adult patients with ureteropelvic junction obstruction and differential renal function ≤15.

Objectives: To compare symptom resolution and short-term renal function after pyeloplasty or nephrectomy in adults with ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) in poorly functioning renal units (PFRU).

Methods: Retrospective analysis of adult patients with UPJO and differential renal function (DRF) ≤ 15% who underwent laparoscopic pyeloplasty or nephrectomy. Primary endpoints included symptom resolution and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at 12 months.

Percutaneous thermoablation of small renal masses (T1a) in surgical candidate patients: oncologic outcomes.

Objective: To evaluate the local tumour progression-free survival (LTPFS), metastasis-free survival (MFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) of healthy surgical candidates who underwent percutaneous thermoablation (TA) as a first-line therapy for small renal masses (T1a).

Methods: The institutional review board approved this bi-institutional retrospective study of 85 consecutive surgical candidates with 97 biopsy-proven malignant renal masses (T1a) treated with percutaneous TA from 2008 to 2016. The LTPFS, MFS, CSS and OS rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

Previously unseen 80L giant hydronephrosis.

Here we describe the case of a patient who was referred to our institution with an immense abdominal volume of unknown origin. The patient was unable to stand up and therefore was bedridden. A giant hydronephrotic kidney was diagnosed and total volume of urine removed was 80L.

Mobilization of a peritoneal dialysis catheter using an extra-corporeal magnet: preliminary experimental phase study.

Purpose: To evaluate in an experimental model, the mobility of a novel peritoneal dialysis catheter with a metallic tip (Mag-Cath) using an extra-corporeal magnet.

Materials And Methods: The Mag-Cath was installed in a porcine model under general anesthesia using laparoscopic access. A senior urologist, a urology resident, and a 3rd-year medical student were assigned to complete 2 tasks guided by fluoroscopy: (1) Move the catheter tip from the right flank to the pelvis and (2) move the catheter tip from the pelvis to the left flank.

Laparoscopic pyeloplasty as an alternative to nephrectomy in adults with poorly functioning kidneys due to ureteropelvic junction obstruction.

Objectives: To evaluate outcomes of laparoscopic pyeloplasty (LP) in adults with poorly functioning kidney due to ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO).

Methods: A retrospective comparative analysis was performed between adult patients who underwent LP due to UPJO with differential renal function (DRF) ≤ 15% and DRF > 15%. LP success rate and complications were assessed.

Validation of the TWIST score for testicular torsion in adults.

Purpose: The TWIST (Testicular Work-up for Ischemia and Suspected Torsion) score was developed to allow for expedited diagnosis of testicular torsion (TT) in children based on clinical variables: edema (2 points), hard mass (2), absent cremasteric reflex (1), high-riding testis (1) and nausea/vomiting (1). We sought to validate the TWIST Score applied by non-expert physicians for the diagnosis of testicular torsion in an adult population.

Methods: We prospectively analyzed all consecutive males presenting to a tertiary hospital with acute scrotum.

Retroperitoneoscopic ureterolithotomy to treat large ureteral stones in the proximal ureter.

Introduction: Retroperitoneoscopic ureterolithotomy emerged as an option for the extraction of large stones in the proximal ureter, offering short convalescence and low rates of residual fragments.

Materials And Methods: We describe the case of a 50-year-old male, who presented at our emergency department with right flank pain for 15 days without fever. He had a past medical history of nephrolithiasis.

Robotic-assisted radical cystectomy: the first multicentric Brazilian experience.

The objective of this study is to report the first multicentric Brazilian series and learning curve of robotic radical cystectomy (RARC) with related intra- and postoperative outcomes. We retrospectively analyzed 37 RARC prospectively collected at four different centers in Brazil, from 2013 to 2019. We analyzed the patient's demographics, pathological tumor, and nodal status, as well as intra- and postoperative outcomes.

Postoperative Renal Function in Patients Undergoing Unilateral Nephrectomy: Development of a Prediction Model Using Preoperative Risk Factors and Cr-EDTA Clearance.

To analyze the preoperative variables associated to the postoperative glomerular filtration rate (GFR) outcomes after nephrectomy for benign and malignant conditions, measured by the reference isotopic technique Cr- (Cr-EDTA) and to create a model to predict the short-term postoperative GFR. Secondary aim was to evaluate which of the common equations for GFR estimation (Cockcroft-Gault, Modification of Diet in Renal Disease [MDRD] or Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration [CKD-EPI]) has the best correlation with the Cr-EDTA. Patients undergoing unilateral nephrectomy from 2014 to 2018 were selected.

Learning robotic pyeloplasty without simulators: an assessment of the learning curve in the early robotic era.

Objective: To analyze our experience and learning curve for robotic pyeloplasty during this robotic procedure.

Methods: Ninety-nine patients underwent 100 consecutive procedures. Cases were divided into 4 groups of 25 consecutive procedures to analyze the learning curve.

Factors affecting urinary continence and sexual potency recovery after robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy.

Introduction: Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) is the most recent surgical technique for localized prostate cancer. The Da Vinci (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA) system was first introduced in Brazil in 2008, with a fast growing number of surgeries performed each year.

Objective: Our primary endpoint is to analyze possible predictors of functional outcomes, related to patient and tumor features.

Postgraduate course in minimally invasive urological surgery.

Background: Minimally invasive surgeries are increasingly common as the first option for most urological diseases. However, laparoscopic techniques are difficult to master, especially for surgeons who were not trained during their residency programs. Therefore, postgraduate courses are important for such matters.