OBJECTIVE: Specimen retrieval bags were used to remove cysts and masses in minimally invasiveurologic surgeries for more than 3 decades. This study aims to describe the steps in making a home-made specimen retrieval bag named JuRoLap and its safety and resiliency. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The bag’s name was taken from the initials of the institution combined withthe department's short-name (uro) and laparoscopy (Lap). The bag is composed of a non-toxicpolyvinyl chloride (PVC) urine bag custom fitted according to the expected specimen size. The sideswere sealed using an impulse sealer leaving one side open. The bag ways rolled and introducedintracorporeally via the 12mm port. It was opened followed by specimen placement using standardlaparoscopic instruments. Purse-string suture at the one-side opening was tightened and extractedthrough the umbilical port extending the incision as necessary. RESULTS: JuRoLap was used in 33 cases removing various organs such as adrenals, kidney, ureter,bladder and prostate. It was easily prepared, safe, resilient and economical costing approximatelyUSD 0.68. It was essential to routinely check its durability by doing a leak test prior to sterilization.Proper rolling, transparent plastic component of the bag and the use of two laparoscopic graspersprovided ease in bag deployment and specimen entrapment. It was also observed that smaller incisionon extraction site as compared to the specimen size was needed due to the resiliency of the bag.Despite the required learning curve in organ entrapment and extraction, there were no complicationsand specimen leakage noted. CONCLUSION JuRoLap specimen retrieval bag is organ size specific, safe, resilient and low cost specimenretrieval bag innovation.
Laparoscopy

Abstract: The genitourinary tract is known to be infiltrated in 3–10% of cases of advanced rectal adenocarcinoma. It is usually managed with total pelvic exenteration with urinary diversion. Complications are encountered because of this diversion. This case series aims to present four cases of locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma involving the prostate who underwent en bloc prostatectomy in Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center. Methods: This case series consists of review of records of hospital charts, documentation of specimens from the database of the department. Results: The study consists of four (4) male patients in their 50s presenting with primary rectal adenocarcinoma with invasion to the prostate, bladder or seminal vesicle. Two out of 4 patients had shorter hospital days (6 days) while 2 patients spent 14 and 28 days. Two out of 4 patients have anastomotic leakage, 1 had nosocomial pneumonia and no one had urinary tract infection, postoperatively. All 4 patients had a histopathologic diagnosis of rectal adenocarcinoma with a tumor size of 3.5 to 7.0 cm. Two patients are positive for lymphovascular space invasion while 1 patient has a positive line of resection margin. Two patients had neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy while 1 patient had 1 adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. One patient was lost to follow-up. Conclusion En bloc prostatectomy combined with abdominoperineal resection to treat locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma provides good local control with the risk of having less postoperative complications. Since there is only one stoma, there is less chance of infection and better quality of life. Complete resection of the tumor can be obtain but can also cause urologic morbidity even after chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Proctectomy

PURPOSE: Robot-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (RLPN) is gaining acceptance as an alternative to open partial nephrectomy and laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for small renal masses. However, it still remains a technically challenging procedure even for experienced laparoscopists. Endophytic tumors or renal hilar tumors pose an additional challenge. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 11 patients (mean age: 49.3 years; range: 31-67 years) who underwent RLPN for small, complex renal masses including hilar tumors and endophytic tumors. RLPN was performed with the Da Vinci(R) surgical system (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, USA) with three robot arms and intraoperative ultrasonography (Tile-pro(R) System). RESULTS: RLPN was performed successfully without complications in all cases. The mean tumor size was 3.2 cm (range, 1.1-8.0 cm). The mean operative time was 177 minutes (range, 150-260 minutes), and the mean warm ischemia time was 32 minutes (range, 25-41 minutes). The mean estimated blood loss was 177 ml (range, 50-350 ml), and the mean hospital stay was 4 days (range, 3-7 days). Pathology found four patients with clear cell type renal cell carcinoma, one with multilocular multicystic renal cell carcinoma, two with papillary type, one with chromophobe type, and three with angiomyolipoma. CONCLUSIONS: RLPN is a feasible and safe surgery for complex renal tumors. In our experiences, RLPN could be a nephron-sparing surgical option for patients with compromised renal function and it could be an alternative to open partial nephrectomy and laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for a select group of patients.
Angiomyolipoma ; Arm ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; Length of Stay ; Medical Records ; Nephrectomy ; Operative Time ; Robotics ; Warm Ischemia

PURPOSE: To determine the ability of a novel palpation device to differentiate between benign and malignant tissues of the kidney and bladder by measuring tissue elasticity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A novel palpation device was developed, mainly composed of a micromotor, a linear position sensor, a force transducer, and a hemisphere tip and cylindrical body probe. Motion calibration as well as performance validation was done. The tissue elasticity of both benign and malignant tissues of the kidney and bladder was measured using this device. A single investigator performed the ex-vivo palpation experiment in twelve kidneys and four bladder specimens. Malignant tissues were made available from partial nephrectomy specimens and radical cystectomy specimens. Palpations for benign renal parenchyma tissue were carried out on nephroureterectomy specimens while non-involved areas in the radical cystectomy specimens were used for benign bladder samples. Elastic modulus (Young's modulus) of tissues was estimated using the Hertz-Sneddon equation from the experimental results. These were then compared using a t-test for independent samples. RESULTS: Renal cell carcinoma tissues appear to be softer than normal kidney tissues, whereas tissues from urothelial carcinoma of the bladder appear to be harder than normal bladder tissues. The results from renal cell carcinoma differed significantly from those of normal kidney tissues (p=0.002), as did urothelial carcinoma of the bladder from normal bladder tissues (p=0.003). CONCLUSION: Our novel palpation device can potentially differentiate between malignant and benign kidney and bladder tissues. Further studies are necessary to verify our results and define its true clinical utility.
Adult ; Aged ; Elastic Modulus ; Elasticity Imaging Techniques/*instrumentation ; Equipment Design ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney/physiology ; Kidney Neoplasms/*diagnosis/physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Palpation/*instrumentation ; Phantoms, Imaging ; Pilot Projects ; Urinary Bladder/physiology ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/*diagnosis/physiopathology