Impact on Quality of Life of Laparoscopic Nerve-sparing Radical Treatment of Parametrial Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis (Postoperative Pain Assessment and Functional Outcomes)

Objective: Complete eradication of parametrial nodules of Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis (DIE) is associated with a high risk of iatrogenic nerves damage and pelvic organs dysfunction. The aim of this study is to evaluate via validated questionnaires the effect of laparoscopic excision of parametrial DIE on quality of life as first outcome and on pain symptoms and post- operative voiding function (bladder and rectal) as secondary outcome.Study design: All patients undergoing laparoscopic excision of posterior or lateral parametrial DIE by a single expert surgeon between January 2013 and March 2017 were included in the study. A nerve-sparing approach was adopted in all patients. Quality of life (QoL) and Functional outcomes were evaluated using validated questionnaires (EHP-30 for the health profile, NBD score for intestinal function, ICIQ-FLUTS for urinary function), administered preoperatively and after surgery. Pain scores were collected before and after surgery using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).Results: During the study period a total of fifty-nine patients met the inclusion criteria. Fifty-one patients agreed to fill out questionnaires for post-operative outcomes. EHP-30 scores had a significant improvement in all the domains analyzed even in the relationship with children and fertility module despite to the small number of patients answering those questions. No differences were found in terms of urinary function between pre and post-operative questionnaires (ICIQ-FLUTS). Bowel function improved in patients’ subjective perception. The NBD score showed that intestinal dysfunction related only to constipation and was reported as very minor by 76.4% of patients, minor by 11.8%, moderate by 5.9% by and severe by 5.95% of patients. Pain symptoms (VAS score) decreased significantly after surgery with the exception of chronic pelvic pain. (p value < 0,05). Conclusions: Laparoscopic nerve-sparing radical excision of parametrial DIE is safe and effective when performed by an expert surgical equipe. This approach can favorably impact on patients QoL. Moreover, it has proved to result in pain score and voiding function improvements.

Justification of vacuum prophylaxis as part of the penile rehabilitation in patients after nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy

Introduction. In healthy men, a significant increase in pO2 in the cavernous tissue occurs during episodes of nocturnal erections. This process ensures sufficient oxygenation and high-pressure substances such as prostaglandin-E1 and nitric oxide. These substances suppress the expression of transforming growth factor β1, thereby preventing collagen synthesis and the development of cavernous fibrosis. In patients undergoing nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy, nocturnal erections are absent, hypoxia inhibits the production of PGE-i, and neuropraxia inhibits NO. Thus, cavernous fibrosis develops through the production of pro-apoptotic and profibrotic factors, resulting in persistent erectile dysfunction. The importance of a vacuum in penile rehabilitation for the prevention of penile cavernous hypoxia is not fully understood. This is due to the deficiency of data on the gas composition of cavernous blood when a vacuum-induced erection is achieved.Purpose of the study. To investigate the cavernous blood at the time of vacuum-induced erection, to analyze the obtained results with the International Index of Erectile Function score and with the values of penile hemodynamics.Materials and methods. The study included i5 patients with prostate cancer and preserved sexual function. The average age of all men was 57.87 ±4.36 years. All patients underwent a preoperative comprehensive assessment of erectile function: International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire, dynamic duplex penile ultrasound. Immediately prior to the surgery, penile blood was collected at the time of achieving a vacuum-induced erection. The gas composition and oxygenation were assessed using the values of the partial oxygen pressure, carbon dioxide and saturation in accordance with the approved standards to differentiate arterial and venous blood. Statistical data processing was carried out using the PASW Statistics 22 software (IBM SPSS, IBM Corp., Chicago, IL, USA)Results. All patients were divided into 3 groups depending on the gas composition and oxygen level of the cavernous blood. Group I included 4 (26.6%) patients with a predominance of arterial blood, group II — 4 patients (26.6%) with venous blood and group III — 7 patients (46.6%) with a mixed composition of cavernous blood. The average International Index of Erectile Function score in group I was 23.5 [2i.0; 25.0], in group II — 22.0 [2i.0; 24.0] and in group III — 24.0 [i9.0; 25.0]. Peak systolic velocity (cm/s) in group I was 40.i [35.i; 45.2], in group II — 35.9 [29.5; 50.2], in group III — 32.5 [32.5; 34.4]. End-diastolic velocity (cm/s) in group I was 2.52 [0.55; i0.5], in group II — 8.3 [2.9; i0.8], in group III — 7.5 [7.5; 9.0]. Resistive index in group I was 0.87 [0.77; 0.98], in group II — 0.75 [0.63; 0.94], in group III — 0.75 [0.73; 0.75].Conclusions. Vacuum prophylaxis may be the method of choice for penile rehabilitation in patients after nerve-sparing radical prostateectomy, especially in the early postoperative period during neuropraxia. The use of vacuum devices should be prescribed to patients with preserved veno-occlusive mechanism, which should be confirmed by dynamic duplex penile ultrasound.

Does transition from standard to Retzius-sparing technique in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy affect the functional and oncological outcomes?

Objective: To appraise the outcomes on the Retzius-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (Rs-RARP) learning curve of a surgeon with previous experience of anterior (standard) RARP. Materials and methods: The first 50 cases during the Rs-RARP learning curve (group 1) and 50 cases after the second 100 cases with the standard approach (group 2) were comprised in the study. Patients who used zero or one safety pads were considered continent. Erectile function recuperation was characterized as the competence to achieve penetrative intercourse without receiving any medication. All patients were reevaluated at two weeks, first, third, sixth, and 12th months after surgery using IIEF-5, PSA level, and continence status. Results: Immediate continence rates following catheter removal were 32/50 (64%) in Rs-RARP group and 26/50 (52%) in S-RARP group (p = 0.224). The continence recovery rate was 48/50 (96%) in Rs-RARP group and 46/50 (92%) in the S-RARP group at 12 months follow-up (p = 0.400). Total nerve-sparing surgery was enforced in 36/50 (72%) patients for group 1 and 35/50 (70%) patients for group 2. Potency recovery was 27/43 (62.8%) in Rs-RARP and 30/44 (68.2%) for S-RARP at 12 months follow up (p = 0.597). Surgical margin positivity was detected in 6/50 (12%) cases in the Rs-RARP group and in 4/50 (8%) cases in the S-RARP (p = 0.444). Conclusions: Functional and oncological results are not negatively affected in the first 50 cases for a surgeon who is experienced in S-RARP before transition to the Rs-RARP method.

Nerve-Sparing Robotic Radical Hysterectomy for the Beginner in Robotic Surgery

Robotic surgery is considered to be the optimal means of performing nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy (RH) because this procedure requires very precise surgery. Nerve-sparing RH has become increasingly popular in Japan. However, with open surgery the operating field is only visible to the surgeon performing this delicate procedure, which makes it difficult to educate trainee assistants. However, robotic surgery provides an expanded operation field that is visible to the surgeon and assistants, which makes it suitable for teaching purposes. To perform this procedure, it is necessary to become proficient in RH by laparotomy and then to become familiar with the characteristics of robotic surgery. In shifting from laparotomy to robotic surgery, we have found that experience with open surgery does not fully prepare surgeons for the new experiences and discoveries associated with robotic surgery, which may initially be problematic. We here provide clear instructions for the procedure with notes concerning particular potentially problematic aspects.