Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of udenafil 75 mg once daily in patients with erectile dysfunction following bilateral nerve-sparing robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (BNS-RALP). Materials and Methods: A multi-center, prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blind study was conducted. Among patients with localized prostate cancer with international index of erectile function-erectile function domain (IIEF-EF) score of 18 or higher before BNS-RALP, those who developed postoperative erectile dysfunction (IIEF-EF score 14 or less at 4 weeks after BNS-RALP) were enrolled. Enrolled patients were randomly assigned to the udenafil 75 mg daily group or the placebo group in a 2:1 ratio. Each subject was followed up at 8 weeks (V2), 20 weeks (V3), and 32 weeks (V4) to evaluate the efficacy and safety of udenafil. Results: In all, 101 patients were screened, of whom 99 were enrolled. Of the 99 patients, 67 were assigned to the experimental group and 32 to the control group. Ten (14.93%) patients in the experimental group and 10 (31.25%) in the control group dropped out of the study. After 32 weeks of treatment, IIEF-EF score of 22 or higher was seen in 36.51% (23/63) of patients in the experimental group and 13.04% (3/23) patients in the control group (p=0.021). The proportion of patients with IIEF-EF improvement of 25% or more compared to the baseline was 82.54% (52/63) in the experimental group and 62.96% (17/27) in the control group (p=0.058). Conclusions Udenafil 75 mg once daily after BNS-RALP improved the erectile function without any severe adverse effects.

PURPOSE: This study compared the oncologic results of docetaxel chemotherapy (DOC) in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) according to continuous addition of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) during chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 106 patients who received DOC in 6 medical institutes. Among them, 72 patients had a complete medical record: 28 patients with ADT (DOC+continuous ADT group) and 44 without ADT (DOC only group). We compared the progression-free survival of these groups after DOC. RESULTS: Docetaxel was administered an average of 28 months after primary ADT as the first treatment. A median number of 6 cycles of DOC was administered in both groups. In the DOC+continuous ADT group, orchiectomy was performed in 18 patients and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist was injected in 10 patients. During DOC treatment, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) progression-free survival was statistically different (6.0±4.75 months in DOC+continuous ADT group vs. 4.8±3.2 months in DOC only group, p=0.024), whereas radiologic progression-free survival was not statistically different (5.0±3.12 months in DOC+continuous ADT group vs. 5.0±2.79 months in DOC only group, p=0.387). CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort, continuous addition of ADT showed a significant benefit in PSA progression-free survival during DOC in CRPC patients. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these observations.
Academies and Institutes ; Cohort Studies ; Disease-Free Survival ; Drug Therapy* ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Orchiectomy ; Prospective Studies ; Prostate* ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Prostatic Neoplasms* ; Retrospective Studies

In this paper, acknowledgments section was omitted unintentionally.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of tadalafil 5 mg once daily use in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) after robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study retrospectively evaluated 92 patients who underwent RALP at Dong-A University Hospital. The patients were surveyed by use of the abridged five-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire, which was self-administered before surgery and at 6 months and 1 year after surgery. The 92 patients were classified into the tadalafil group (n=47) and the non-tadalafil group (n=45). Each group was then classified depending on the nerve-sparing (NS) procedure used: bilateral NS or unilateral NS. RESULTS: At 6 months, the total IIEF-5 scores of the tadalafil group and the non-tadalafil group were 10.0+/-3.4 and 7.0+/-4.0, respectively. At 1 year, the total IIEF-5 score in the tadalafil group was significantly greater than that in the non-tadalafil group (13.2+/-5.6 vs. 7.7+/-4.8, p<0.0001). Statistically significant improvements (p<0.05) were observed in the tadalafil group for all 5 domains of the IIEF-5 score, whereas in the non-tadalafil group there was no significant improvement in any of the domains at 1 year. The reported side effects were flushing (8.5%, n=4), headache (4.3%, n=2), and dizziness (2.1%, n=1). CONCLUSIONS: In ED patients after NS RALP, a once-daily dose of tadalafil 5 mg was well tolerated and significantly improved EF compared with that in the non-tadalafil group.
Dizziness ; Erectile Dysfunction* ; Flushing ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Headache ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatectomy* ; Questionnaires ; Retrospective Studies ; Robotics

PURPOSE: To describe our initial experience with the second-generation Single Port Instrument Delivery Extended Reach (SPIDER) laparoendoscopic single-site surgical system in a porcine model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In four swine weighing approximately 32 to 35 kg, five nephrectomies, four adrenalectomies, three pyeloplasties, and three partial cystectomies and closures were performed by a single surgeon. The swine were placed in the lateral flank position under general anesthesia. The SPIDER surgical system was introduced through a single incision and the various urological procures were performed by use of flexible instrumentation. RESULTS: All five nephrectomies, four adrenalectomies, three pyeloplasties, and three partial cystectomies and closures were performed successfully without additional skin incisions. The mean time to set up the SPIDER platform was 3.5 minutes. The mean operative time for the right and left nephrectomies was 45.4 minutes and 47.8 minutes, respectively. The mean operative time for the right and left adrenalectomies was 37.6 minutes and 35.4 minutes, respectively. The mean operative time for the pyeloplasties for one right and two left ureters was 45.6 minutes and 47.3 minutes, respectively. The mean operative time for the partial cystectomies and closures was 18.6 minutes. There were no noticeable intraoperative complications except for minimal urine leakage in the first pyeloplasty. CONCLUSIONS: In this initial pilot evaluation, the second-generation SPIDER surgical system offered intuitive instrument maneuverability and restored triangulation. However, retraction was challenging because of the lack of strength and the limited ability for precise manipulation of the tip. Future refinements of the technology and prospective studies are needed to optimize the application of this technology in urology.
Adrenalectomy ; Anesthesia, General ; Cystectomy ; Intraoperative Complications ; Laparoscopy ; Nephrectomy ; Operative Time ; Robotics ; Skin ; Spiders ; Swine ; Ureter ; Urologic Surgical Procedures ; Urology

PURPOSE: To report our results on urinary continence after bladder neck preservation (BNP) and posterior urethral reconstruction (PUR) during robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from 107 patients who underwent RALP were compared on the basis of whether the patients underwent BNP and PUR, BNP only, or the standard technique (ST). In group A (n=31 patients), ST was performed by using Ven velthoven continuous suturing for urethrovesical anastomosis. In group B (n=28 patients), ST with only PUR was performed. In group C (n=48 patients), both the BNP and PUR techniques were used. "Recovery of continence" was defined as the use of 1 pad (50 ml) or less within 24 hours. RESULTS: The three groups were comparable in terms of patient demographics. The mean operative time and the mean blood loss decreased significantly from group A to group C (p=0.021 for mean operative time and p=0.004 for the mean blood loss). Mean catheterization time was 8.9, 7.8, and 7.1 days in each group (p=0.047). Early return of urinary continence at 3 months was observed in group B (89.2%) and group C (90.6%) compared with group A (71%). However, continence at 6 months was comparable in the 3 groups (87.5% in group A, 92.8% in group B, and 92.3% in group C). Rates of positive surgical margins decreased from 30.2% in group A to 20% in group B and 12% in group C. CONCLUSIONS: BNP and PUR during RALP showed a favorable impact on the early postoperative recovery of continence while not affecting positive surgical margins.
Catheterization ; Catheters ; Demography ; Humans ; Neck ; Operative Time ; Prostatectomy ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Incontinence

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively evaluate the intermediate results of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of small renal masses (SRMs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Percutaneous or laparoscopic RFA was performed on 48 renal tumors in 47 patients. The follow-up studies included a physical examination, chest radiography, creatinine level, and contrast-enhanced CT or MRI. To confirm the pathologic criteria of complete ablation, 35 patients underwent a follow-up biopsy. Recurrence was defined as contrast enhancement on imaging studies after 3 months, lesion growth at subsequent imaging, or viable cancer cells on follow-up biopsy. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in 43 (89.6%) of 48 renal tumors. The mean tumor size was 2.3 cm and the mean follow-up period was 49.6 months. Repeated RFA was necessary in 5 tumors due to incomplete ablation. The overall complication rate was 35.8%, of which 96.2% were mild complications. Serum creatinine levels at 12 months after RFA did not differ from those before RFA (1.28 vs. 1.36 mg/dL). Four patients were found to have recurrence at various follow-up intervals, and distant metastasis was not found in any cases. CONCLUSION: RFA appears to be a useful treatment for selected patients with SRMs. Our 4-year follow-up results disclose an excellent therapeutic outcome with RFA, while achieving effective local tumor control.
Adult ; Aged ; Catheter Ablation/*methods ; Contrast Media/diagnostic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms/*surgery ; Laparoscopy ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Postoperative Complications ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: To report our results of nephron-sparing radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of renal tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Since August 2004, 49 patients with renal tumors were treated with either percutaneous or laparoscopic RFA. All patients underwent preoperative imaging with contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and were suspected to have renal cell carcinoma. The follow-up for each patient included a physical examination, chest radiography, liver function tests, and a contrast-enhanced CT or MRI. To confirm the pathologic criteria of complete ablation, 30 patients underwent 6-month or 1-year follow-up biopsy. Recurrence was defined as growth of the tumor or any new enhancing portions at 3 months after confirmed nonenhancement of the initial RFA lesion. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in 46/49 cases (94%). The mean tumor size was 2.4 cm and the mean follow-up period was 31.7 months (range, 6-68 months). Of 49 patients, repeated RFA was necessary in 7 patients (14%). Three patients were found to have recurrence at various follow-up intervals. Twenty-three patients (47%) experienced complications, and all but one necessitated intervention. No distant metastasis was found in any cases, and all patients are alive and are being serially followed up. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous or laparoscopic RFA is considered to be a useful treatment for selected patients with small renal masses and for nephron-sparing. With a mean follow-up of 31.7 months, our intermediate data suggest excellent therapeutic outcome with RFA with effective local tumor control and preservation of renal function. The ultimate role of this modality will continue to evolve and warrants further studies.
Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; Catheter Ablation ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; Liver Function Tests ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Physical Examination ; Recurrence ; Surgical Procedures, Minimally Invasive ; Thorax

No abstract available.

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic surgery has become the standard method of radical nephrectomy within the urological community. We compared the safety and efficacy of different techniques for laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) in a single medical center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between June 2002 and August 2007, we performed LRN for renal cell cancer in 45 cases by a transperitoneal approach (TLRN), in 21 cases by a retroperitoneal approach (RLRN), and in 32 cases by a hand-assisted approach (HLRN), and the results of each approach were compared. Surgical results such as operative time, estimated blood loss (EBL), transfusion rate, hospital stay, complications, and pathologic results were reviewed retrospectively and analyzed by one-way ANOVA. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in demographic data among the 3 groups. The pathologic reports showed clear cell type in 97 cases and chromophobe type in 1 case. For each group (TLRN vs. RLRN vs. HLRN), the mean operative time was 207.9+/-57.06 vs. 211.8+/-52.85 vs. 184.4+/-49.43 minutes, respectively (p=0.03); the EBL was 135.0+/-29.40 vs. 153.8+/-45.59 vs. 183.4+/-89.25 ml, respectively (p=0.14); time to oral intake was 2.3+/-0.79 vs. 1.2+/-0.54 vs. 2.6+/-0.84 days, respectively (p<0.01); and the hospital stay was 6.7+/-0.77 vs. 5.4+/-0.73 vs. 8.2+/-1.51 days, respectively (p<0.01). There were no severe complications. The pathologic surgical margins were all negative. CONCLUSIONS: LRN can be performed efficiently and effectively with the transperitoneal, retroperitoneal, and hand-assisted techniques. Operators may select the technique for LRN according to their own preferences. In our experience, RLRN may protect the organ from injury and promote the recovery of lifestyle because of the early recovery of bowel movement.
Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; Laparoscopy ; Length of Stay ; Life Style ; Nephrectomy ; Operative Time ; Retrospective Studies