Sexual disorders following retroperitoneal pelvic lymph node dissection (RPLND) for testis tumor can affect the quality of life of patients. The aim of the current study was to investigate several different andrological outcomes, which may be influenced by robot-assisted (RA) RPLND. From January 2012 to March 2020, 32 patients underwent RA-RPLND for stage I nonseminomatous testis cancer or postchemotherapy (PC) residual mass. Modified unilateral RPLND nerve-sparing template was always used. Major variables of interest were erectile dysfunction (ED), premature ejaculation (PE), dry ejaculation (DE), or orgasm alteration. Finally, fertility as well as the fecundation process (sexual intercourse or medically assisted procreation [MAP]) was investigated. Ten patients (31.3%) presented an andrological disorder of any type after RA-RPLND. Hypospermia was present in 4 (12.5%) patients, DE (International Index of Erectile Function-5 [IIEF-5] <25) in 3 (9.4%) patients, and ED in 3 (9.4%) patients. No PE or orgasmic alterations were described. Similar median age at surgery, body mass index (BMI), number of nodes removed, scholar status, and preoperative risk factor rates were identified between groups. Of all these 10 patients, 6 (60.0%) were treated at the beginning of our robotic experience (2012-2016). Of all 32 patients, 5 (15.6%) attempted to have a child after RA-RPLND. All of these 5 patients have successfully fathered children, but 2 (40.0%) required a MAP. In conclusion, a nonnegligible number of andrological complications occurred after RA-RPLND, mainly represented by ejaculation disorders, but ED occurrence and overall sexual satisfaction deficit should be definitely considered. No negative impact on fertility was described after RA-RPLND.
Male ; Child ; Humans ; Robotics ; Quality of Life ; Retrospective Studies ; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal/surgery* ; Testicular Neoplasms/pathology* ; Lymph Node Excision/adverse effects* ; Retroperitoneal Space/surgery* ; Erectile Dysfunction/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: The optimal treatment for large impacted proximal ureteral stones remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and potential complications of mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (MPCNL) and retroperitoneal laparoscopic ureterolithotomy (RPLU) in the treatment of impacted proximal ureteral stones with size greater than 15 mm. METHODS: A total of 268 patients with impacted proximal ureteral stones greater than 15 mm who received MPCNL or RPLU procedures were enrolled consecutively between January 2014 and January 2019. Data on surgical outcomes and complications were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Demographic and ureteral stone characteristics found between these two groups were not significantly different. The surgical success rate (139/142, 97.9% vs. 121/126, 96.0%, P = 0.595) and stone-free rate after 1 month (139/142, 97.9% vs. 119/126, 94.4%, P = 0.245) of RPLU group were marginally higher than that of the MPCNL group, but there was no significant difference. There was no significant difference in the drop of hemoglobin between the two groups (0.8 ± 0.6 vs. 0.4 ± 0. 2 g/dL, P = 0.621). The mean operative time (68.2 ± 12.5 vs. 87.2 ± 16.8 min, P = 0.041), post-operative analgesics usage (2/121, 1.7% vs. 13/139, 9.4%, P = 0.017), length of hospital stay after surgery (2.2 ± 0.6 vs. 4.8 ± 0.9 days, P < 0.001), double J stent time (3.2 ± 0.5 vs. 3.9 ± 0.8 days, P = 0.027), time of catheterization (1.1 ± 0.3 vs. 3.5 ± 0.5 days, P < 0.001), and time of drainage tube (2.3 ± 0.3 vs. 4.6 ± 0.6 days, P < 0.001) of MPCNL group were significantly shorter than that of the RPLU group. The complication rate was similar between the two groups (20/121, 16.5% vs. 31/139, 22.3%, P = 0.242). CONCLUSIONS MPCNL and RPLU have similar surgical success and stone clearance in treating impacted proximal ureteral stones greater than 15 mm, while patients undergoing MPCNL had a lower post-operative pain rate and a faster recovery.
Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Length of Stay ; Nephrolithotomy, Percutaneous/adverse effects* ; Retroperitoneal Space/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Ureteral Calculi/surgery*

Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms/surgery* ; Laparoscopy ; Nephrectomy ; Retroperitoneal Space/surgery*

Objective: To investigate the effect of laparoscopic extraperitoneal (LSEP) high ligation of the spermatic vein in the treatment of varicocele. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data about 80 cases of varieocele, 48 treated by LSEP and the other 32 by laparoscopic transabdominal retroperitoneal (LSTR) high ligation of the spermatic vein. We recorded the semen parameters before and at 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery, intraoperative blood loss, operation time, postoperative complications, time of gastrointestinal function recovery and rate of pregnancy, followed by comparison of the data obtained between the two groups of patients. RESULTS: Semen parameters were remarkably improved in both the LSEP and LSTR groups of patients postoperatively as compared with the baseline (P <0.05), but with no statistically significant difference at different postoperative months (P >0.05). The intraoperative blood loss was less in the LSEP than in the LSTR group (［8.3 ± 5.2］ vs ［9.1 ± 6.1］ ml, P >0.05), the operation time was shorter in the former than in the latter (［38.27 ± 9.23］ vs ［43.46 ± 11.72］ min, P >0.05), and so was the time of gastrointestinal function recovery (［1.27 ± 0.26］ vs ［2.43 ± 0.41］ d, P <0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups during the 6- to 18-month follow-up in the rates of postoperative subcutaneous hematoma, scrotal and subcutaneous emphysema, recurrence, or pregnancy (P >0.05). CONCLUSIONS Laparoscopic extraperitoneal high ligation of the spermatic vein is safe and effective and has the advantage of quick recovery in the treatment of varicocele.
Blood Loss, Surgical ; Emphysema ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Ligation ; methods ; Male ; Operative Time ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; Pregnancy ; Recurrence ; Retroperitoneal Space ; Retrospective Studies ; Scrotum ; Spermatic Cord ; blood supply ; Treatment Outcome ; Varicocele ; surgery ; Veins ; surgery

Objective: To investigate the clinical effect of microscopic spermatic vein ligation in the treatment of nutcracker phenomenon (NCP) complicated with left varicocele (VC). METHODS: This retrospective study included 31 cases of NCP complicated with left VC treated in our hospital by subinguinal microscopic ligation of the left spermatic vein (group A, n = 11), open retroperitoneal high ligation of the left spermatic vein (group B, n = 11), or conservative therapy (group C, n = 9). The patients were followed up for 6－24 (15.3 ± 5.4) months. We compared the semen parameters, spermatic vein diameter, left testis volume, and recurrence rate among the three groups of patients before and after treatment. RESULTS: Compared with the baseline, the semen quality parameters were significantly improved in both groups A and B at 6 months after treatment (P<0.05) but reduced in group C (P<0.05); the spermatic vein diameter at rest and that at Valsalva maneuver were markedly decreased in groups A (［2.53 ± 0.27］ vs ［1.84 ± 0.22］ and ［3.53 ± 0.19］ vs ［2.16 ± 0.25］ mm, P<0.05) and B (［2.62 ± 0.33］ vs ［2.15 ± 0.43］ and ［3.36 ± 0.25］ vs ［2.44 ± 0.27］ mm, P<0.05) but increased in group C (［2.56 ± 0.28］ vs ［2.94 ± 0.24］ and ［3.33 ± 0.21］ vs ［3.77 ± 0.26］ mm, P<0.05). No statistically significant differences were found in the left testis volume at 6 months after treatment in group A (［9.85 ± 1.86］ vs ［10.27 ± 1.18］ ml, P>0.05), B (［9.77 ± 2.03］ vs ［9.96 ± 1.72］ ml, P>0.05), or C (［9.83 ± 1.59］ vs ［10.48 ± 2.05］ ml, P>0.05), nor in the recurrence rate between groups A and B (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Hematuria, proteinuria and other mild symptoms of nutcracker phenomenon complicated with left VC can be treated palliatively by microscopic ligation of the spermatic vein, which can relieve the clinical symptoms, improve the semen quality, and protect the testicular function of the patient.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Ligation ; methods ; Male ; Recurrence ; Renal Nutcracker Syndrome ; surgery ; Retroperitoneal Space ; Retrospective Studies ; Semen Analysis ; Testis ; anatomy & histology ; blood supply ; Time Factors ; Varicocele ; complications ; Veins ; surgery

Adult ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; surgery ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Male ; Nephrectomy ; methods ; Retroperitoneal Space ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo compare the surgical effect of three-dimensional (3D) versus 2D laparoscopic surgery in ureter lithotomy.

METHODSFrom January 2014 to 2015 May, 45 patients with ureteral calculi were randomly allocated into 2 groups to undergo ureter lithotomy under 3D laparoscopy (25 cases) and 2D laparoscopy (20 cases). The time used for each surgical process (including the exposure, D-J tube discharge, suture and other surgical procedures) was recorded and compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe operation was completed smoothly in all the 45 patients. In this cohort, the wound drainage tube was removed in a mean of 3.0mnplus;0.8 days after the operation, the catheter was removed after a week, and the double J tube was removed at 1 month. Follow-up intravenous pyelography at 3 months after the operation reveal ureteral stricture in none of the cases. Comparison of the surgical data showed that the time used in each surgical process was significantly shorter in the 3D group than in the 2D group (P<0.05). 3D laparoscopic surgery allowed more precise operation by providing a good sense of depth as in an open surgery to reduce the operation time.

CONCLUSIONSAs a minimally invasive surgical technique, 3D laparoscopic surgery facilitates more precise and easier operation compared with 2D laparoscopy in ureter lithotomy.

Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Kidney Pelvis ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Operative Time ; Retroperitoneal Space ; Ureter ; Ureteral Calculi ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo compare the effects and complications of subinguinal microscopic ligation, laparoscopic transperitoneal varicocelectomy, laparoscopic retroperitoneal varicocelectomy, open retroperitoneal high ligation, and interventional embolotherapy in the treatment of varicocele.

METHODSWe conducted a retrospective study that included 632 varicocele patients treated by subinguinal microscopic ligation (group A, n = 79), laparoscopic transperitoneal varicocelectomy (group B, n = 120), laparoscopic retroperitoneal varicocelectomy (group C, n =137), open retroperitoneal high ligation (group D, n = 283), and interventional embolotherapy (group E, n = 13). We compared the baseline and 3-month postoperative semen parameters, postoperative complications, and pregnancy rate among the five groups of patients.

RESULTSThe operation time was longer in groups A ([2.02 ± 1.25] h) and E ([2.17 ± 1.02] h) than in the other three groups, while the postoperative hospital stay was the shortest in group E ([1.1 ± 0.1] d). Intestinal injury or incision bleeding occurred intraoperatively in 2 cases in group B and 1 case in group E. Postoperative scrotal edema developed in 3.7, 17, 10, and 19% of the patients in groups A, B, C, and D, respectively, but not in group E. The rate of 1-year recurrence was the lowest in group A (1.6%) and highest in group E (22%). Sperm concentration and the percentages of progressively motile sperm and morphologically normal sperm were improved postoperatively in all the patients (P < 0. 05), but there were no statistically significant differences among the five groups either in the above three parameters or in the postoperative pregnancy rate (P > 0. 05).

CONCLUSIONIn the surgical treatment of varicocele, laparoscopic retroperitoneal approach involves short operation time and few complications, subinguinal microscopic ligation has the advantages of little injury, rapid recovery, and few complications but requires specialized microsurgical techniques, and interventional embolotherapy leaves no incision scar and needs only local anesthesia and 1-day postoperative hospital stay, which is uitable for those with a contraindication to anesthesia.

Embolization, Therapeutic ; adverse effects ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Length of Stay ; Ligation ; adverse effects ; methods ; Male ; Operative Time ; Postoperative Complications ; Postoperative Hemorrhage ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Recurrence ; Retroperitoneal Space ; Retrospective Studies ; Sperm Count ; Urogenital Surgical Procedures ; adverse effects ; Varicocele ; surgery ; Vascular Surgical Procedures ; adverse effects ; methods

Both new insights in the pathophysiology of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and upspringing related evidence-based supports prompt the staged step-up approach, which stress emphasis on minimal invasiveness and damage control, to be accepted and advocated by the majority of guidelines. For documented or suspected patients with infected pancreatic necrosis, an imaging-guided percutaneous catheter drainage or an endoscopic transluminal drainage should be initially performed followed by, if necessary, a minimal access retroperitoneal necrosectomy, or a video-assisted retroperitoneal debridement, or an endoscopic transluminal necrosectomy, or an even an open access necrosectomy. The outstanding performance of staged step-up approach in patients with SAP has been justified from both a clinical and a health economic point of view, meanwhile, there are some issues remained to be further elucidated and optimized.
Acute Disease ; Debridement ; Drainage ; Endoscopy ; Humans ; Pancreatitis ; surgery ; Retroperitoneal Space ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical significance of systematic retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy during interval debulking surgery (IDS) in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 124 advanced EOC patients and analyzed the details of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT), IDS, postoperative treatment, and prognoses. RESULTS: Following IDS, 98 patients had no gross residual disease (NGRD), 15 had residual disease sized <1 cm (optimal), and 11 had residual disease sized > or =1 cm (suboptimal). Two-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 88.8% and 39.8% in the NGRD group, 40.0% and 13.3% in the optimal group (p<0.001 vs. NGRD for both), and 36.3% and 0% in the suboptimal group, respectively. Five-year OS and 2-year PFS rates were 62% and 56.1% in the lymph node-negative (LN-) group and 26.2% and 24.5% in the lymph node-positive (LN+) group (p=0.0033 and p=0.0024 vs. LN-, respectively). Furthermore, survival in the LN+ group, despite surgical removal of positive nodes, was the same as that in the unknown LN status group, in which lymphadenectomy was not performed (p=0.616 and p=0.895, respectively). Multivariate analysis identified gross residual tumor during IDS (hazard ratio, 3.68; 95% confidence interval, 1.31 to 10.33 vs. NGRD) as the only independent predictor of poor OS. CONCLUSION: NGRD after IDS improved prognosis in advanced EOC patients treated with NACT-IDS. However, while systematic retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy during IDS may predict outcome, it does not confer therapeutic benefits.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cytoreduction Surgical Procedures/*methods/mortality ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision/*methods/mortality ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial/mortality/*surgery ; Ovarian Neoplasms/mortality/*surgery ; Retroperitoneal Space ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome