Objective To explore the clinical efficacy and safety of off-clamping in robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) for the treatment of renal tumors.Methods From January 2015 to March 2017,the data of 48 patients who underwent off-clamping RAPN were reviewed retrospectively.There were 31 males and 17 females,and the mean age was 57 years (range:23-84 years).The mean tumor size was 3.1 cm (range:1.2-6.4 cm),with the upper,middle,and lower polar tumors account for 35.4％,27.1％,and 37.5％,respectively.The clinical tumor stage was T1N0M0 in all 48 cases,according to the AJCC tumor staging system for renal cancer.Results RAPNs were performed successfully in all 48 cases,without conversion to open surgery.In those patients,the application of off-clamping in robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy was performed in 44 cases.The renal artery and vein was exposed,dissected,isolated and then clamped in 4 cases due to bleeding.The mean surgical time was 85 min (range:75-185 min).The mean estimated blood loss was 134 ml (range:60-270 ml),and no blood transfusion was needed.The wound surface was closed using interrupted suture with Hem-o-lok clips securing each needle point.The mean time for renorrhaphy was 22 min (rang:11-31 min).No intraoperative severe complications such as vascular injury,trauma of abdominal organ occurred.There were 5 complications,including 2 cases of hematuria,2 cases of delayed healing of incision,and 1 case of pneumohypoderma.The pathological diagnosis included 40 cases of renal clear cell carcinoma,3 cases of papillary renal cell carcinoma,and 5 cases of angiomyolipomas.No tumor recurrence or distant metastasis was observed during the average follow-up of 17 months (range 3-27 months).Conclusions Off-clamping RAPN is safe and feasible approach to excise certain kidney tumors.It carries the benefits of less complication,quick recovery,and less ischemia reperfusion renal injury.Off-clamping RAPN would be suitable for those patients with solitary kidneys,renal insufficiency,and bilateral tumors.

Objective To summarize our experience in robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery for adrenal diseases Methods The clinical data of 243 patients with adrenal tumor treated by robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery from March 2010 to February 2017 were retrospectively reviewed.There were 99 men and 144 women.The mean age was 51.6 years (range, 19-84).Tumors located at left adrenal in 140 cases, right in 97 cases,and both sides in 6 cases.The average diameter was 3.32 cm (range, 0.8-12 cm).However, there were 41 cases whose tumor diameter were greater than 5 cm.Results There were 2 cases of conversion during operation, 1 case converted to open surgery and the other to the traditional laparoscope surgery.The mean operative time was 35 min (range, 20-130 min).Estimated blood loss was 80 ml (range,20-1 200 ml).Blood transfusion was needed in 6 cases.The mean postoperative hospital stay was 5d (range, 3-20 d).The pathological diagnosis included 37 cases of pheochromocytoma, 149 cases of cortical adenoma, 3 cases of cortical carcinoma, 5 cases of metastatic tumor, 9 cases of adrenal myelolipoma, 3 cases of adrenal cyst, 2 cases of bronchogenic cyst, 25 cases of adrenal nodular hyperplasia,2 cases of angiomyolipomas, 1 case of mature teratoma, 1 case of diffuse large B-Cell lymphoma, 1 case of angioma, and 4 cases of neurofibromatosis.Conclusions Robotic-assisted laparoscopic adrenalectomy was safe and effective.Robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery has the advantages over laparoscopic surgery in treatment of complicated adrenal tumor, such as large adrenal tumors, pheochromocytoma, bilateral adrenal diseases, overweight and obese patients with adrenal diseases.

Objective To discuss the treatment experience of adrenocorticotropic hormone independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (AIMAH).Methods The clinical data of 24 cases of AIMAH from August 1972 to December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed.The cases included 10 males and 14 females with a mean age of 43 (range 26 to 59) years.16 patients presented with typical Cushing syndrome (CS) and 8 patients had weight gain, hypertension or diabetes mellitus without any sign of CS.The circadian rhythm of serum cortisol was abnormal.Low and high dose dexamethasone suppression tests failed to suppress cortisol secretion.The preoperative CT scan showed bilateral enlargement of the adrenal glands with multiple macmnodules.14 patients underwent open surgery, including 5 cases of unilateral adrenalectomy, 6 cases of adrenalectomy combined with contralateral subtotal adrenalectomy and 3 cases of bilateral adrenalectomy simuhaneously.6 patients underwent conventional laparoscopic adrenalectomy,including 2 cases of unilateral adrenalectomy, 2 cases of adrenalectomy combined with contralateral subtotal adrenalectomy and 2 cases of bilateral adrenalectomy.4 patients underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic bilateral adrenalectomy.Results The postoperative pathological examination showed that all patients had bilateral adrenal macronodular or adenomatoid hyperplasia.During the mean follow-up of 68 months (range 3 to 192 months), the clinical symptoms of CS disappeared after surgery in all cases.7 patients who received unilateral adrenalectomy had urinary free cortisol and serum cortisol within normal ranges and no further enlargement of the contralateral gland was noticed.Among the 3 patients who received bilateral adrenalectomy simultaneously, 1 case died of adrenal crisis on the seventh day post-operation.The remaining 2 cases presented with adrenal insufficiency but returned to normal after glucocorticoid replacement therapy.Nelson's syndrome was not observed in other patients.Conclusions The use of bilateral adrenalectomy to treat AIMAH may involve risk.Unilateral adrenalectomy is recommended for an alternative treatment for AIMAH.Controlateral adrenalectomy with lifelong corticosteroid replacement or contralateral subtotal adrenalectomy may be performed if the symptoms have not improved or recurred after unilateral adrenalectomy.

Objective To explore the clinical feasibility of robot-assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy (RARC) with total intracorporeal othotopic ileal neobladder (TIOIN).Methods A consecutive series of 4 patients (2 male,2 female),who underwent RARC with TIOIN by a single surgeon,were included in the retrospective study,between March 2017 and June 2017.Their age ranged from 59 to 71 years,which the mean age was (65.7 ± 4.9) years.Preoperative urinary CT scan,cystoscopic examination and transurethral resection of bladder tumor were performed for diagnosis.Among these,2 patients underwent side-to-side bowel anastomosis using a linear stapler,while hand-sewn anastomosis was performed in the other 2 patients.The detubularized bowel segment was arranged in a U shape,and then the two medial borders were closed to create the posterior wall of the neobladder,which completed a partial U shape and anastomosed with the end of urethra.After placing the single J stents into the ureter,the uretero-neobladder was anastomosed.To close the urine reservoir,each border of the U-shaped segment was folded again and sutured to form a sealed pouch.Results All operations were performed successfully.The average operation time for RARC was 93.2 min (ranging 79-117 min).The average operation time for urinary diversion was 214.2 min (ranging 163-251 min).The mean estimated blood loss was 304.5 ml (ranging 200-400 ml).The mean hospital stay was 20.5 d (ranging 13-32 day).The number of dissected lymph node ranged from 11 to 16 (mean 3.7 ± 2.6).All the surgical margins were negative.The time for postoperative out-of-bed activity and bowel function recovery was 2-3 days and 3-4 days,respectively.The single-J stents were removed 1 months after operation,generally.No urine leakage was noticed after removing the drainage tube and catheter.The lymph leakage was observed in one case,which was resolved 15 days post-operatively after given nutrient therapy.The performance of urinary continence was satisfactory,except one patient complained about the nocturnal incontinence.After the regular pelvic exercise,the symptom improved two months after the operation.Hydronephrosis and intestinal leakage were not observed.Conclusions Our initial experience showed that RARC with TIOIN is feasible and alterative for experienced surgeon.

Objective To assess the feasibility and efficacy of robot-assisted laparoscopic simple prostatectomy (RALSP) for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with large prostate.Methods From January 2014 to July 2015,16 patients with large prostate (≥80 ml) were treated by RALSP.The average patient's age was 69 years.The prostate volume was (98.3 ± 12.9) ml,preoperative residual urine was (78.0 ± 24.8) ml,the average IPSS was (22.9 ± 5.9),the average QOL was (4.8 ±1.5) and the average Qmax was (8.9 ± 3.7) ml/s,respectively.All patients agreed to accept RASP.The pre-operative and three months post-operative IPSS,QOL,residual urine and Qmax were compared and analyzed.Results All 16 patients underwent the surgeries uneventfully.The average operation time was (92.5 ± 15.5) minutes,the estimated blood loss was (125.5 ±25.5) ml,drainage time was (4.6 ±0.8)days,catheterization time was (7.9 ± 1.2) days and postoperative hospital stay was (5.1 ± 1.1) days.Three months after surgery,patient's IPSS was (11.8 ± 3.1),QOL was (1.6 ± 0.9),the average residual urine was (12.3 ± 2.6) ml and Qmax was (29.4 ± 11.6) ml/s,respectively.All the parameters significantly improved compared with the preoperative data (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Robot-assisted laparoscopic simple prostatectomy is a safe and effective method for the treatment of BPH patients with prostate volume larger than 80 ml.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility and advantages of robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALRP) in treating high-risk prostate cancer.Methods From Mar.2010 to Dec.2014,69 men with high-risk prostate cancer (clinical stage ≥ T3a,serum PSA ≥ 20 μg/L or biopsy Gleason score ≥8) underwent surgical treatment at our center.RALRP was performed in 44 cases,with a mean age of (66.7 ± 8.6) yrs (range:50 ～ 82) and a mean baseline PSA of (23.1 ± 11.2) μg/L (range:3.6-48.8).Transperitoneal approach was adopted in all cases.Twenty-five patients were treated with ORP.The mean age was (64.3 ± 5.9) yrs (range:52-75) and baseline PSA was (21.7 ± 10.2) μg/L (range:5.7-41.3).Baseline clinical features,including age,initial PSA,biopsy Gleason score and clinical staging,were comparable between two cohorts.Surgical outcomes after RALRP were analyzed and compared between groups.Results All RALRP procedures were successfully performed with da Vinci robotic system and there was no open conversion.Mean operation duration were similarly (158 ± 47)min for RALRP group and (152± 42)min for ORP group,respectively.The mean estimated blood loss and postoperative length of hospital stay in RALRP group were (328 ± 254) ml and (8.4 ± 3.1) days,both of which were significant lower than those in ORP group,(674 ± 302) ml and (14.4 ± 3.7) days.Two cases of urine leak and two of lymphatic leak occurred after RALRP,and a statistically insignificantly higher complication rate was observed for the ORP group,in which four of urine leak and three of lymphatic leak happened.The positive surgical margin rates of two groups were 20.5％ and 24％,respectively.After the mean follow-up of 25 (RALRP) and 27 months (ORP),continence rate was significantly higher in the RARLP group (93.2％ vs.72.0％).PSA failure was observed in seven RALRP cases (15.9％) and four ORP cases (16.0％).Conclusion Compared with traditional ORP,RALRP shows significant advantages,including less blood loss,fewer complications,shorter length of stay,better postoperative continence and equivalent oncologic outcome when dealing with high-risk prostate cancer cases.Robot-assisted surgery is a safe and efficacious surgical modality in this setting.

Objective To study the prognostic factors of survival in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) treated with sunitinib.Methods From May 2008 to Dec 2012,the clinical data of 82 cases with mRCC adminstered by sunitinib were reviewed retrospectively.The study included 60 male patients and 22 female patients,whose age ranged from 29 to 82 years [mean (56.1±11.3) years].Among them,52 cases presented hematuria,flank pain and palpable mass.The size of renal tumor ranged from 2.0 to 18.0 cm [mean (8.0±3.0) cm].The location of tumor included 41 in left kidney,37 in right kidney and 4 in bilateral kidney.The pathological tissue obtained from the operation in 69 cases and from biopsy in 13 cases.The pathological results demonstrated renal cell carcinoma in 75 cases,papillary cell carcinoma in 2 cases,chromophobe cell carcinoma in 2 cases,sarcomatoid carcinoma in 2 cases,collecting duct carcinoma in one case.The site of metastasis included lung in 50 cases,liver in 11 cases,bone in 14 cases,pancrease in 3 cases,retroperitoneal lymph node in 31 cases.In 52 cases,the ECOG scores ranged from 1 to 2.The others scores were more than 3.The average level of hemoglobin,AKP,LDH and leukocyte were (132±24)g/L,(90±65) U/L,(168±114) U/L and (6.4±2.0)×109/L,respectively.Before treatment,the abnormal cases in those parameters were 59,9,6 and 2,respectively.According to the MSKCC risk model,14 cases were classified into the high risk group and 68 cases into medium risk group.74 cases were accepted the sunitinb therapy within one year after diagnosis and 8 cases were accepted same therapy until one year after diagnosis.The overall survival (OS) rates were calculated by Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression model was used to analyze the relationship between the influencing factors and the prognosis.Results The average OS was (21.6± 14.1) months (ranged 2.8 to 64.1 months).The survival rate at 1 st,2nd and 3rd year were 71％,64％ and 58％,respectively.Single factor analysis showed that significant prognostic factors were as follows:ECOG performance status ≥ 2 (P =0.005),clinical symptom during first clinic visiting (P =0.031),without nephrectomy (P =0.012),the number of metastatic sites ≥ 2 (P =0.015),hemoglobin before treatment (P=0.005),serum AKP level before treatment (＞126 U/L) (P=0.007),MSKCC score≥ 3 (P =0.000),the presence of liver metastases (P =0.000) and bone metastases (P =0.000) and relative dose intensity in the first month (1M-RDI) of sunitinib ≥ 50％ (P=0.000).Cox regression model showed that the beneficial predictive factors were ECOG performance status＜2 (P=0.136),no symptom during the first clinic visiting (P=0.801),serum AKP ＜126 U/L (P=0.618) before treatment,the absence of bone (P =0.068) and pancreas metastases (P =0.265).Sunitinib 1M-RDI ≥ 50％ was the independent predictive factor (P=0.000).Conclusions In targeted therapy era,there is some change in the prognostic factors for mRCC and target drug play an important role in the prognosis of mRCC.Sunitinib 1M-RDI ≥50％ is the independent predictive factor for the prognosis of renal carcinoma.

BACKGROUNDOveractive bladder (OAB) is a series of symptoms with high prevalence in elderly people. This study was conducted using the overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS) to evaluate the efficacy of solifenacin succinate for the treatment of OAB.

METHODSThis was a prospective, multicenter, single-arm, 12-week study that enrolled 241 OAB patients. The patients received 5-10 mg/day solifenacin. Changes in OABSS, symptoms from voiding diary, perception of bladder condition (PPBC) score, international prostate symptom score (IPSS) and quality of life (QOL) were evaluated at weeks 0, 4, and 12. The relationship between OABSS and PPBC score or parameters of voiding diary was also evaluated.

RESULTSAt baseline, the mean OABSS for all patients was 9.41 ± 2.40, and was reduced significantly at week 12 (-3.76 points; 61.21%, P < 0.0001). The OABSS subscore, PPBC score, IPSS, and QOL were also significantly reduced during the study (P < 0.0001). The overall incidence of adverse events was 19.91% (44 cases). The gastrointestinal system was the most commonly affected (11.31%). Around 5.88% of the cases had adverse events related to the genitourinary system. There was a strong correlation between OABSS and urinary symptoms that was recorded in the 3-day voiding dairy.

CONCLUSIONSWe showed that solifenacin was clinically effective for relieving OAB symptoms, considering the balance between efficacy, patients' well-being, and tolerability. OABSS integrates four OAB symptoms into a single score and can be a useful tool for research and clinical practice.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscarinic Antagonists ; therapeutic use ; Prospective Studies ; Quality of Life ; Quinuclidines ; therapeutic use ; Solifenacin Succinate ; Tetrahydroisoquinolines ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive ; drug therapy

Objective To investigate the clinical features , diagnosis and key technique points of laparoscopic partial adrenalectomy for small adrenal pheochromocytoma . Methods From Oct.2006 to Jun. 2011, clinical data of 32 cases with small adrenal pheochromocytoma (≤3.0 cm) were collected and retro-spectively analyzed .Hypertension was observed in 12 patients, whereas 20 patients presented with adrenal incidentaloma .Thirteen patients had a left adrenal neoplasm , eighteen patients had a right adrenal tumor , while one patients had bilateral tumors .The positive rate of plasma-free metanephrines ( MNs) and 24-hours urinary catecholamine (CA) in diagnosing small renal pheochromocytomas was 92.6%(25/27) and 81.3%(26/32) respectively.The main localization diagnosis included ultrasonography , 131I-MIBG, and CT or MRI, with positive rates of 71.9%(23/32), 93.8%(15/16) and 96.9%(31/32) respectively.All the laparoscopic adrenalectomies were performed retroperitoneally .During the surgery , the internal part of the adrenal gland closing to the retroperitoneum was dissected first , and the whole adrenal gland was resected completely. Results Partial adrenalectomy was performed for 30 cases and radical adrenalectomy for 2 ca-ses.All operations were successful without perioperative or postoperative complications .The maximum diame-ter of tumor was 1.7±0.2 (1.0-3.0) cm.Histopathological results showed that all the cases were benign pheochromocytoma.The operative time was 82 (40-210) min.The estimated blood loss was 57 (20-180) ml.No patient required blood transfusion . Conclusions Plasma-free MNs, 24-hours urinary CA and VMA are important qualitative examinations in detection of adrenal pheochromocytoma .Ultrasonography , CT,MRI, and 131 I-MIBG are important in the localization of adrenal tumors .Retroperitoneal laparascopic partial adrenalectomy is the preferred choice in the management of small adrenal pheochromocytoma .Dissecting the internal part of the adrenal gland closing to the retroperitoneum first and exploring the whole adrenal tissue are the key technique points during the operations .

Objective To improve the diagnosis and treatment of ACTH-independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia(AIMAH).Methods A 51-year-old female patient with Cushing's syndrome caused by AIMAH was reported.Elevated early morning plasma cortisol levels,increased 24 h urinary free cortisol excretion,and loss of the normal circadian rhythm in cortisol secretion were presented.There was no suppression of cortisol secretion by administration of low-and high-dose overnight dexamethasone suppression test.Cardio-pulmonary function was very bad with the highest blood pressure reaching 300/120 mm Hg( 1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa).Initially,she was treated with mitotane(60 mg/d),but was not effective.After taking ketoconazole (800 mg/d)for 5 days,cardio-pulmonary function was not effectively improved with blood pressure only descending to 180/120 mm Hg.Orthopnoea appeared and Spo2fell once to 75％.The patient had to undergo right total adrenalectomy immediately.ResultsThe mass resected was 10 cm× 10 cm in size and weighted 67.5 g.Histological examination of the removed adrenal revealed nonpigmented macronodular cortical hyperplasia.The patient continued to take ketoconazole (400-800 mg/d)from the 6th day of the operation without steroid replacement therapy in that period.With normal cortisol levels( plasma cortisol at 8:00 was 18.65 μg/dl,24 h urinary free cortisol was 78.75 μmol),she left hospital after the general condition had been improved.During the following updated 10 months follow up,the indexes of her laboratory examination were maintained normal.ConclusionIndividualized therapy should be adopted for the patient with AIMAH.The medication is useful to suppress the adrenal gland cortisol production for those with progression of symptoms,very high blood pressure,hypokalemia and hypoproteinemia.Once the cardio-pulmonary function improves,the target organ should be resected as soon as possible.The supplement of cortisol is not appropriate during the perioperative period.The unilateral adrenalectomy is an effective treatment for AIMAH.