Purpose: We reviewed the clinical experience of using the ureteral tumor stent (Bard^®, angiomed UROSOFT) in the National Taiwan University Hospital. We focused on the efficacy and durability of the ureteral tumor stent. Materials and Methods: We collected the patient data from April 2013 to 2014. A total of 94 patients with 157 ureteral units which received ureteral tumor stent in the National Taiwan University Hospital were enrolled. We analyzed the effectiveness according to the hydronephrosis grading. The durability was counted if it did not match any of the failure criteria including the following: 1. Hydronephrosis upgrade, 2. Serum creatinine elevated over 150% of baseline, 3. Ipsilateral percutaneous nephrostomy insertion or failure to remove it after antegrade insertion, and 4. Replacement due to clinically significant symptoms. Results: In general, 65% hydronephrosis downgrade, 25% remained stationary without severe hydronephrosis, while only 10% deteriorated or remain severe hydronephrosis. The median durability was 6.8 months. The bacteriuria and size of the ureteral tumor stent were the significant factors about the durability in single variant analysis. Conclusion: The ureteral tumor stent would improve the obstructive uropathy and persist functional for an average period over half a year.

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Objective: To compare pathological and oncological outcomes between robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RaLRP) and laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) among high-risk prostate cancer patient in a tertiary center in Taiwan. Materials and methods: From November 2003 to October 2013, 129 high-risk prostate cancer patients receiving minimally-invasive radical prostatectomy were included. The Kaplan–Meier analysis was used for measuring biochemical recurrence-free survival (BFS). Multivariate logistic regression models and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to determine predictors of positive surgical margin and BFS. Results: Among the 129 high-risk prostate cancer patients included, 80 (62%) patients received LRP and 49 (38%) patients received RaLRP. There was no significant difference of positive surgical margin and biochemical recurrence rate between RaLRP and LRP group (P = 0.802 and 0.292). Higher pathological T stage predicted an increased likelihood of positive margins (OR = 3.44, 95% CI [1.45, 8.18], P = 0.005). Higher initial PSA level (HR = 2.88, 95% CI [1.04, 7.94], P = 0.041) and positive surgical margin (HR = 2.55, 95% CI [1.20, 5.44], P = 0.015) were poor prognostic factors for BFS. Conclusion: RaLRP can be considered among high-risk prostate cancer in Asian people with comparable oncological outcomes to LRP. Higher pathological T stage was associated with increased likelihood of positive margins, patients with higher iPSA level and positive surgical margin had worsen biochemical recurrence-free survival.

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Background: We investigated the association between balanoposthitis and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (type 2 DM) from a retrospective cohort study. Methods: From the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database (LHID) 2000, we selected male patients aged over 20 years and first diagnosed with balanoposthitis during 2000–2010. Men without balanoposthitis were also included in our analysis through frequency matching for age and index year. All participants were followed up until the diagnosis of type 2 DM. Diseases were coded in accordance with the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification. Baseline comorbidity history for each participant was determined from the LHID dataset. A multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression model was established, and a Kaplan–Meier survival curve was plotted. Results: The incidence of type 2 DM was higher in the balanoposthitis cohort than in the nonbalanoposthitis cohort (14.8 vs. 5.42/1000 person-years) with a hazard ratio of 2.55 (95% confidence interval = 2.22–2.92) after adjusting for age and other comorbidities. The incidence of type 2 DM increased with age in both cohorts. Balanitis patients with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or obesity had higher risks for type 2 DM than those without these conditions (all P < 0.05). Conclusions: Men with balanoposthitis may have a higher risk of type 2 DM in the future. Therefore, clinical physicians should pay more attention to the early evaluation and management of type 2 DM in the patients with balanoposthitis.

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Background/Purpose: This study evaluated the long-term outcomes of nephrectomy and inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombectomy in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Methods: From January 1996 to December 2013, we retrospectively collected the clinical data of 31 patients with pathologically confirmed RCC and IVC tumor thrombus. All patients received nephrectomy and IVC thrombectomy. We examined the clinical outcomes, including cancer-specific survival, progression-free survival, and postoperative complications, during a 90-day period. The associated prognostic factors were also analyzed. This study is registered with the National Taiwan University Hospital Research Ethics Committee (number 201305059RINC). Results: The median follow-up period was 24 months. Of 20 patients with nonmetastatic disease, 15 developed metastases during the study period. The overall 5-year cancer-specific survival rate was 30.8% in the nonmetastatic group versus 12.5% in the metastatic group. The level of IVC thrombus (Levels I–II vs. Levels III–IV) was not significantly associated with the 5-year cancer-specific survival (P = 0.43). The Fuhrman grade and sarcomatoid type were statistically significant predictors of cancer-specific survival (Fuhrman Grades III–IV vs. Grades I–II: Hazard ratio [HR] = 0.11, P = 0.04; sarcomatoid type: HR = 0.136, P = 0.001). Fuhrman grade, capsular invasion, and positive surgical margins were associated with 1-year progression-free survival (Fuhrman Grades III–IV vs. Grades I–II: HR = 0.08, P = 0.04; capsular invasion: HR = 0.15, P = 0.04; positive surgical margins: HR = 0.16, P = 0.05). The most common perioperative complication was massive blood loss. The most common recurrence sites were bones, liver, and lungs. Conclusion: The pathologic Fuhrman grade, sarcomatoid type, positive surgical margins, and capsular invasion were significant predictors of oncological outcomes in patients with advanced RCC and IVC thrombus.

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Objectives: Some studies have shown that in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) who have undergone hand-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy (HALNU), the narrow working space and inevitable manipulation that occurs during the retroperitoneal approach (RP-HALNU) enhances tumor cell seeding in the bladder mucosa. This study was an attempt to investigate the differences in intravesical recurrence between transperitoneal HALNU (TP-HALNU) and RP-HALNU. Patients and Methods: From 1999 to 2011, a total of 197 patients with UTUC were enrolled. After excluding those with a previous history of bladder cancer, 170 patients were analyzed. Sixty-five of these underwent RP-HALNU, and 105 of these underwent TP-HALNU. The median follow-up periods were 39.2 and 46.2 months. Tumor location was divided into three groups: In the renal pelvis, in the ureter, and in both the renal pelvis and ureter. Results: There was no significant difference in the intravesical recurrence rate in relation to the different surgical approaches (P = 0.10), but tumor location in both the renal pelvis and ureter significantly increased the risk (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.11, P = 0.01). In addition, advanced T stage (HR = 9.63, P < 0.01) was the only significant risk factor related to death. Conclusions: In patients with UTUC, tumor location in both the renal pelvis and ureter determined higher susceptibility to intravesical recurrence. However, different surgical approaches to HALNU were not a significant risk factor for intravesical recurrence.

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Purpose: For patients with localized upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC), radical nephroureterectomy with ipsilateral bladder cuff excision (RNU + BCE) is the standard treatment. In recent years, robot-assisted RNU with BCE (RaRNU + BCE) has been another choice of surgical intervention. This article was aimed to analyze the efficacy and perioperative outcomes regarding RaRNU + BCE through a single institutional experience. Patients and Methods: From March 2012 to November 2015, a total of 54 patients with UTUC were treated with RaRNU + BCE at Taipei Veterans General Hospital. We collected demographic data, histopathological reports, perioperative complications, and oncologic outcomes. Results: A total of 54 patients were included in our study. The mean age was 71.9 ± 9.9 (range 48–88) and the mean body mass index was 23.5 ± 2.9 (range: 16.4–30.8). The mean operating time was 314 min (RaRNU: 133.9 ± 41.4 min and RaBCE: 72.9 ± 25.7 min). The mean first docking time was 26.8 ± 7.7 min and the mean second docking time was 16.5 ± 6.7 min. The mean EBL was 87.7 ml. Pathological stage distribution was 22.2%, 27.8%, 13.0%, 31.5%, and 5.6% in pTa, pT1, pT2, pT3, and pT4, respectively. Complications occurred in 7 cases (13%), with 4 Grade I and 3 Grade II by Clavien-Dindo classification. Positive tumor involvement at bladder cuff was noted in three patients, and the bladder recurrence rate was 29.6%. Local recurrence, lymph node metastasis, and distant metastasis were all noted for two patients, respectively. The cancer-specific and overall survival rate was 98.1% and 96.3%. Conclusions: Our experience showed that RaRNU + BCE is a technically feasible and safe procedure for selected patients with UTUC.

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Objective: This study elaborated on the clinical experience of patients who underwent urologic management due to urologic complications after receiving a total hysterectomy at a regional hospital. Materials and methods: A total of 696 female patients received the four types of total hysterectomy including total abdominal hysterectomy, transvaginal hysterectomy, lapaparoscopic hysterectomy or robotic hysterectomy for variant gynecologic pathologies. Only 22 cases (3.2%) had urologic procedures performed during or after the operations from 2012/1/1 to 2016/6/30. Results: Of the 22 cases, thirteen (1.9%) received a series of conservative managements only, including cystoscopy, ureteroscopy, endoscopic ureterotomy, ureteral catheterization or double J stenting during the follow-up period. Nine more complicated cases (1.3%) eventually had definitive management, including repair of the urinary bladder rupture, repair of the vesicovaginal fistula, ureteroureterostomy or ureteroneocystostomy. However, five of these nine cases had both conservative and definitive management. The mean delay interval between the initial management and gynecologic procedure was 19.3 days. For definitive management and the gynecologic procedure, the period was 52.8 days. Conclusions: Compared to previous studies, the incidence of urologic injuries following a total hysterectomy in our hospital was similar. From the paper review, it seems early recognition does not improve the outcome but we found a 100% good outcome in patients with definitive management. Copyright © 2017, Taiwan Urological Association. Published by Elsevier Taiwan LLC. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

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Purpose: The purpose of this study was to report the feasibility, safety, and benefits of laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC) for patients with bladder cancer (BC) who are older than 75 years and with marginal cardiopulmonary function in a regional teaching hospital. Materials and Methods: The charts of thirty patients who underwent LRC between 2013 and 2016 in a community teaching hospital were reviewed. The patients were subgrouped into the age groups ≥75 years and <75 years. Data extracted from the charts included patient demographics, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Score, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) Score, cardiopulmonary function test result, pathological results, conversion rate, operative time, Intensive Care Unit days, and postoperative recovery time. Results: A significant difference was observed in the data of the group ≥75 years group compared with the <75 years group, with a higher ASA score (P = 0.0007) and higher rate of marginal cardiopulmonary function (80% vs. 26.7%, P = 0.0092). No significant difference was observed in sex, CCI score (3.93 vs. 3.27), body mass index (24.8 vs. 24.4), ejection fraction (69% vs. 70.97%), operation time (473 vs. 465 min), blood loss (503 vs. 380 mL), urinary diversion type, Intensive Care Unit care (1.13 vs. 0.6 days), interval to ambulation (2 vs. 1.8 days), interval to oral food intake (3.2 vs. 2.6 days), interval to normal bowel function (4.6 vs. 3.6 days), postoperative hospitalization (15.67 vs. 11.67 days), and blood transfusion rate (33.3% vs. 26.7%) between the two groups. No conversion to open surgery or mortality was observed. Surgical complications occurred in 15 patients, with a complication rate of 50%. No surgical mortality was noted in 30 or 90 days. Most pathological cases revealed urothelial carcinoma. Conclusions: LRC is a safe option with favorable outcomes in BC patients older than 75 years with marginal cardiopulmonary function in a regional teaching hospital.

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Objectives: To analyze the clinicopathologic characteristics and oncologic outcomes between radical cystectomy (RC) and trimodality therapy (TMT) for patients with clinical stage II bladder urothelial carcinoma (UC). Methods: Between January 2004 and September 2013, the medical records of 93 consecutive patients with clinical stage II bladder cancer (cT2N0M0) diagnosed at National Taiwan University Hospital were retrospectively reviewed, including 66 with RC and 27 with TMT. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to determine prognostic factors. Results: The median follow-up time was 34.1 months. There were no significant differences between the TMT and RC group with respect to age, gender, cancer grade and the presence of hydronephrosis. The 5-year overall survival rate (74%) and the 5-year cancer specific survival rate (76%) showed comparable results between RC and TMT group. The overall recurrence rate was 38 % (RC: 41% vs. TMT: 30%, p=0.35). Presence of hydronephrosis demonstrated statistically significant association with tumor recurrence (HR: 2.05, 95% CI 1.04-4.04, p=0.04). Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) were independently correlated with poorer overall survival (HR: 2.73, 95% CI 1.09-6.82, p= 0.03) and cancer-specific survival (HR: 3.32, 95% CI 1.28-8.65, p= 0.01.) Conclusions: TMT is an optimal therapeutic option in selected patients with clinical stage II bladder UC. In our study, despite the method of treatment, presence of hydronephrosis increased cancer recurrence risk and DM demonstrated a significantly negative effect on overall survival and cancer-specific survival.

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Priapism is an involuntary prolonged erection that lasts for more than 4 h. Although several interventions have been proposed to manage the condition, these strategies are based on expert panel opinions, and little evidence exists regarding prognosis and outcomes. To synthetize information about interventions to treat priapism and to make evidence-based recommendations, we performed a literature search of Medline via Ovid, Scopus (including Embase) and Lilacs from 1980 to the current day with the following keywords: ischemic priapism, erectile function, drainage, and shunt. The length of the ischemic priapism is an important variable for the prognosis because of the pathophysiology of this condition. Here, we propose a step-by-step approach based on the time and invasiveness of the intervention. However, it is important to note that we could not find any clinical trial that supports this approach, and more research is needed for the future statements.

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