Original Dissecting Balloon for Retroperitoneal Laparoscopy: A Cost-Effective Alternative to the Commercially Available Device.

Optimal retroperitoneal space creation is of pivotal importance in laparoscopic retroperitoneal surgery. The aim of this study is to report the balloon dissecting technique developed at our institution, comparing the costs of such device with that of the commercially available balloon retroperitoneal expanders. Twenty patients, scheduled to undergo retroperitoneoscopic surgery, were randomly divided into two groups.

Comparison of Two Prostate Cancer Risk Calculators that Include the Prostate Health Index.

Background: Risk prediction models for prostate cancer (PCa) have become important tools in reducing unnecessary prostate biopsies. The Prostate Health Index (PHI) may increase the predictive accuracy of such models.

Objectives: To compare two PCa risk calculators (RCs) that include PHI.

Retroperitoneal and transperitoneal robot-assisted pyeloplasty in adults: techniques and results.

Background: The surgical management of ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) has dramatically evolved over the past 20 yr due to the development of new technology.

Objective: Our aim was to report the feasibility and efficacy of robot-assisted pyeloplasty (RAP) performed by either the retroperitoneal or the transperitoneal approach.

Design, Setting, And Participants: A stage 2 investigative study was conducted including development (stage 2a) and exploration (stage 2b) of transperitoneal and retroperitoneal RAP performed in 55 patients at an urban tertiary university department of urology.