Transperineal sector prostate biopsies: a local anesthetic outpatient technique.

Objective: To describe our technique and determine the feasibility and tolerability of transperineal template prostate (TP) biopsies under local anesthesia (LA).

Methods: Fifty consecutive patients underwent TP biopsies under LA for investigation of an elevated prostate-specific antigen level or risk stratification as part of our active surveillance protocol. Tolerability was evaluated with a visual analog scale assessing probe discomfort, LA infiltration, and the biopsy procurement.

Changes in patient characteristics and outcomes for radical cystectomy in England.

Objectives: To describe temporal changes in patient characteristics and outcomes for radical cystectomy (RC) in England between 1995 and 2002, using routinely collected administrative data.

Patients And Methods: Data were extracted from the Hospital Episode Statistics database of the Department of Health in England, describing all patients recorded as having undergone RC between 1995/1996 and 2001/2002; 8228 patients were included.

Results: Of the patients who had undergone RC, two-thirds were > or = 65 years old and 75.

An analysis of the Research Fellowship Scheme of the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

Background: The Research Fellowship Scheme of the Royal College of Surgeons of England commenced in 1993 with the aim of exposing selected surgical trainees to research techniques and methodology, with the hope of having an impact on surgical research and increasing the cadre of young surgeons who might decide to pursue an academic career in surgery. Over 11 million pounds sterling (approximately US 20 million dollars) has been invested in 264 fellowships. The College wished to evaluate the impact of the Scheme on the careers of research fellows, surgical research, and patient care.

Threshold volumes for urological cancer surgery: a survey of UK urologists.

Objective: To determine minimum threshold levels of activity set by surgeons for urological cancer surgery, and to relate threshold levels to stated current procedural volume.

Methods: In all, 307 consultant urological surgeons were sent a questionnaire asking them to state for four urological cancer operations of different complexity their current procedural volume; whether minimum volume thresholds per surgeon should be implemented; and if so, the level of such thresholds; 212 (69%) replied.

Results: For all four procedures >/= 75% of surgeons advocated the setting of a minimum volume threshold.