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Ashok K Hemal

Publications and source records attributed to Ashok K Hemal.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

An unusual case of transitional cell carcinoma of renal pelvis presenting with brain metastases.

We report a rare case, who had presented with a constellation of neurological symptoms (due to multiple brain metastases), but without any urological symptoms, to the department of neurosurgery. The patient was managed with gamma knife stereotactic radiosurgery for the metastatic lesions. During an evaluation for primary, he was found to be having transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of right renal pelvis, for which palliative radical nephroureterectomy was performed, following which he received four cycles of paclitaxel and carboplatin chemotherapy. The patient is alive with stable disease at 22-months follow-up.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Renal lymphangiomatosis: imaging and management of a rare renal anomaly.

Renal lymphangiomatosis is a rare developmental malformation resulting in the development of cystic masses in the peri-pelvic or peri-renal areas. We report our experience in the management of this rare anomaly. Herein, we also describe the successful laparoscopic ablation of an uncommon subcapsular variant of renal lymphangiomatosis, which failed percutaneous drainage.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Robotic extended pyelolithotomy for treatment of renal calculi: a feasibility study.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) remains the treatment of choice for staghorn renal calculi. Many reports suggest that laparoscopy can be an alternative treatment for large renal stones. We wished to evaluate the role and feasibility of laparoscopic extended pyelolithotomy (REP) for treatment of staghorn calculi. Thirteen patients underwent REP for treatment of staghorn calculi over a 12-day period. Twelve patients had partial staghorn stones and one had a complete staghorn stone. All patients had pre-operative and post-operative imaging including KUB and computed tomography. All procedures were completed robotically without conversion to laparoscopy or open surgery. Mean operative time was 158 min and mean robotic console time was 108 min. Complete stone removal was accomplished in all patients except the one with a complete staghorn calculus. Estimated blood loss was 100 cc, and no patient required post-operative transfusion. REP is an effective treatment alternative to PCNL in some patients with staghorn calculi. However, patients with complete staghorn stones are not suitable candidates for this particular technique.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

The 'scrubbed surgeon' in robotic surgery.

One of the principal reasons for the rapid progress of robotic surgery has been its advantage in allowing laparoscopy naïve surgeons to offer minimal access surgery to their patients. While this may continue to be an advantage of this modality, it has to be remembered that this has often been possible primarily due to the availability of an assistant who has at least basic laparoscopy skills that permit the performance of critical patient side tasks. We review the literature on the role of the assistant or the 'scrubbed surgeon' in robotic surgery and discuss the advantages of a properly trained assistant in a developing and established robotic surgery program.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed2006

Robotic radical prostatectomy: the Vattikuti Urology Institute training experience.

Robotic radical prostatectomy is increasingly becoming a popular surgical treatment modality for men with clinically localized prostate cancer. Establishing a robotic prostatectomy program is a tremendous undertaking for any institution requiring both financial support and a dedicated operating room team. A structured approach to learning robotics is paramount in order to successfully start a program while optimizing the learning curve to master the technique and minimize peri-operative complications. We describe our own experience in establishing a robotics program to accomplish a safe and effective operation. In addition, we describe the steps utilized in order to teach our structured approach to other practitioners and institutions around the world. Robotic surgery can be taught to experienced open, as well as, laparoscopic surgeons, and incorporated into residency and fellowship training using this structured approach to learning.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed2006

Correlation between metabolite ratios and ADC values of prostate in men with increased PSA level.

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) were carried out in men with increased prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level. Forty subjects [controls (Group I) and patients (Groups II and III with PSA >20 and 4-20 ng/ml, respectively)] were investigated using endorectal coil at 1.5 T prior to transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided biopsy. Metabolite ratio [citrate/(choline+creatine)] and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were calculated for identical voxels. In patients, voxels that showed lower metabolite ratio showed reduced ADC in the peripheral zone (PZ) of the prostate, and voxels with increased metabolite ratio showed higher ADC. Metabolite ratios were used to predict areas of malignancy if the ratio was <1.4 and if ADC value was <1.17 x 10(-3) mm(2)/s. Patients in Group II had lower metabolite ratio and ADC in the PZ compared to controls and Group III. All 13 were positive for malignancy in MR, while 12 of 13 were positive on TRUS-guided sextant biopsy. In Group III, certain voxels of PZ that showed reduced metabolite ratio also showed lower ADC. A positive correlation was observed between metabolite ratio and ADC. MR predicted areas of malignancy in PZ in 15 of 20 patients; however, only six were positive on TRUS-guided biopsy perhaps due to high false-negative rate of TRUS-guided biopsy. Results show positive correlation between MRSI and DWI and their potential in detection of malignancy, thereby improving the diagnosis especially in patients with PSA level of 4-20 ng/ml.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Laparoscopic en bloc partial cystectomy with bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy for urachal adenocarcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical options for treating urachal adenocarcinoma include radical cystectomy and en bloc partial cystectomy with excision of the urachus and umbilectomy. Recently, laparoscopy has been increasingly used to treat bladder and urachal pathologic findings efficaciously. We describe two techniques for performing laparoscopic en bloc partial cystectomy with bilateral extended pelvic lymphadenectomy. TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS: We performed the procedure in 3 patients with established urachal adenocarcinoma. The anatomic boundaries of resection were similar to those described for open surgery. We used an inverted V-shaped, five-port configuration, with the camera port placed 3 cm supraumbilically. An antegrade approach was performed for tumors less than 5 cm in 2 cases. The steps of the procedure included an inverted V-shaped incision along the peritoneum lateral to the medial umbilical ligament on either side; urachal disconnection, dissection of the urachus using the "twist and roll technique"; anterior cystotomy, circumferential resection of the tumor-bearing bladder dome, under vision; tumor placement in a "lap-bag"; bladder reconstruction using intracorporeal suturing; bilateral extended pelvic lymphadenectomy; placement of catheter and drain; and specimen retrieval. We evolved a retrograde technique for larger size tumors (larger than 5 cm). The procedure was successfully completed in all patients, with a mean operative time of 180 minutes (range 150 to 210). No significant intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred, except for a left inferior epigastric artery injury in 1 case. The resected nodes (range 8 to 11) were free of tumor. No local or distant recurrences were observed at a mean follow-up of 6.5 months (range 4.5 to 9). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic en bloc partial cystectomy and bilateral extended pelvic lymphadenectomy is a safe, feasible, minimally invasive alternative to open partial cystectomy for urachal tumors.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2006

Robotic repair of vesicovaginal fistula: case series of five patients.

OBJECTIVES: To describe a technique of robotic repair of vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) and present our experience with 5 such patients. METHODS: A total of 5 patients were diagnosed with posthysterectomy (n = 4) or postmyomectomy (n = 1) VVF. All patients were first treated conservatively with continuous drainage using a Foley catheter without any success. After 12 weeks, these patients underwent robotic repair of the VVF. The steps of the technique of robotic repair are (a) vaginoscopy, (b) cystoscopy, (c) bilateral ureteral catheterization, (d) placement of ports for robotic repair, (e) peritoneoscopy, (f) lysis of adhesions, (g) incision of the bladder and cystotomy in reverse tennis racquet fashion encircling the fistula, (h) excision and freshening of the fistulous margins after complete separation of the bladder from the vagina, (i) closure of the vaginal opening horizontally and bladder opening vertically with interrupted Vicryl sutures, and, finally, (j) interposition of the omentum between these suture lines. RESULTS: Fistula repair was successful in all cases, with a mean operative time (from cystoscopy to the end of the procedure) of 233 minutes (range 150 to 330) and estimated blood loss of less than 70 mL. The length of hospital stay was a mean of 5 days (range 4 to 7). The Foley catheter was removed on the 10th postoperative day after voiding cystourethrography. At 6 months of follow-up, these patients continued to void normally without any recurrence of VVF. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that robot-assisted VVF repair is feasible and results in lower morbidity, a shorter hospital stay, and a quicker recovery. The minimally invasive approach of robot-assisted VVF repair may be a more attractive option for patients with VVF.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Minimally invasive treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction: optimizing outcomes with concomitant cost reduction.

With the seemingly exponential increase in the use of minimally invasive techniques in urology, cost-benefit comparisons will continue to play a major part in establishing services and in improving those that already exist. The management of ureteropelvic junction obstruction is a focus of significant attention. An effective way of optimizing the economy of management is to understand the implications in terms of the success of each mode of treatment. Subsequently, costing models should be developed and applied in large-scale multicenter studies with the aid of health economists. The long-term benefits can then be assessed by also including patient's perceived quality of life. Economic assessment will not be enough to promote cost-effective practices. The take-up of any techniques will always be influenced not only by patient preference and surgeon expertise but also, perhaps ironically, by the way hospitals and surgeons are remunerated. In addition, the impact of the time taken to train a surgeon to carry out laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty competently may play a significant role. Until these issues are resolved, definitive recommendation for the treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction will continue to be made on an individual basis.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗
PubMed2006

Safety of supracostal punctures for percutaneous renal surgery.

AIM: Supracostal superior calyceal access has been shown to be the most suitable approach for staghorn calculi, calculi in the upper ureter and complex inferior calyceal calculi, as well as for antegrade endopyelotomy. However, many urologists hesitate in using this approach because of the potential for chest complications. The aim of this study was to analyze one institution's data regarding the safety and efficacy of this approach for percutaneous renal surgery. METHODS: A total of 890 renal units (762 patients) were treated with percutaneous renal surgery (849 percutaneous nephrolithotomy, 41 antegrade endopyelotomy) from July 1998 to July 2004. Supracostal access was obtained in 332 (37.3%) patients. The indications for a supracostal approach were ureteropelvic junction obstruction, staghorn and complex inferior calyceal calculi, and stones in the upper calyx or the upper ureter. All punctures were made by the urologist under C-arm fluoroscopic guidance in the prone position. RESULTS: The interspace between 11th and 12th rib was used in all except four patients in whom the puncture was made above the 11th rib. Eleven patients (3.31%) had a pleural breach presenting with fluid in the chest. Insertion of a chest tube was required in seven patients, while other four were managed conservatively. No patient had injury to the lung or other viscera. Hospital stay was not significantly prolonged as a result of the pleural breach in any patient. Except for staghorn calculi where multiple tracts were a necessity for maximal clearance, a single supracostal superior or middle posterior calyceal access served the purpose in 86% (177/205) of patients who underwent percutaneous surgery for renal or upper ureteric calculi. CONCLUSIONS: The supracostal superior calyceal approach was found to be effective as well as safe, with an acceptably low risk of chest complications.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

The window sign: an aid in laparoscopic and robotic radical prostatectomy.

AIM: Certain steps of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) and robotic radical prostatectomy (RRP), such as identification of seminal vesicles, bladder neck and retroprostatic dissections are technically challenging specially during initial experience. We describe an important land mark -- "Window sign", which helps significantly during the procedure. METHODS: The seminal vesicles can be dissected either through the transperitoneal, subperitoneal or extraperitoneal approach. In transperitoneal approach the vas deferens, seminal vesicles and Denonvillier's fascia are dissected posteriorly, and this plane is re-entered after division of the prostate from the posterior bladder neck, and with division of the Denonvillier's fascia. The communication between the anteriorly and posteriorly dissected planes in the retrovesical and retroprostatic space is termed "the window." Alternatively, in the RRP technique, bladder neck is divided anteriorly and posteriorly and vas deferens and seminal vesicle pulled out through this window. We have found that this window in transperitoneal, subperitoneal or extraperitoneal approach whether done during laparoscopic or robotic radical prostatectomy, allows to retract the vas deferens and seminal vesicles to elevate the prostate, facilitates control of the prostatic pedicles, helps in dissection of the prostate and assists in the identification and careful avoidance of the neurovascular bundles. RESULTS: This window sign was identified on the basis of our experience of over 450 cases of laparoscopic and robotic anatomical radical prostatectomies. We have followed this step in all of the cases by either technique. CONCLUSION: The "window sign" is an important aid while performing laparoscopic and robotic radical prostatectomy. This technique helps the surgeon to achieve both the anatomic and oncologic goals of the nerve sparing, during anatomic radical prostatectomy.

Humans↗
PubMed2005

Robot-assisted radical cystectomy and urinary diversion.

Radical cystectomy remains the standard for muscle-invasive, organ-confined urothelial carcinoma of the bladder. With the emergence of minimally invasive approaches for the treatment of urologic cancers, technologic advances using laparoscopy have led to the development of robotic assistance to increase the feasibility of performing this formidable operation. In this article, we describe the procedure of robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy with urinary diversion and review the pertinent literature.

Carcinoma, Transitional Cell↗
PubMed2005

Retroperitoneoscopic decortication of symptomatic renal cysts.

PURPOSE: To determine the safety and efficacy of retroperitoneoscopic decortication of symptomatic renal cysts. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 24 patients with symptomatic 6- to 14-cm (mean 10.9-cm) simple renal cysts, right sided in 13 and left sided in 11, underwent retroperitoneoscopic decortication for pain relief at our center between January 1997 and December 2002. The diagnosis was based on an ultrasonogram and contrast-enhanced CT. Symptom severity, assessed using a visual analog pain scale, averaged 7.2/10 (range 6.5-9). The mean duration of symptoms was 4 months. Operative and follow-up data were collected prospectively and analyzed for symptomatic and objective evidence of improvement. RESULTS: The mean operating time was 95 minutes, and no major complications were observed. The average hospital stay was 2.9 days (range 2-7 days). At a mean follow-up of 2.8 years (range 1.5-5 years), pain relief was reported by 22 patients (change of pain score from 7.2 to 1.4). One patient had worsening of pain at 6 weeks postoperatively. Asymptomatic recurrence of the cyst was seen in two patients on the follow-up ultrasound scans. CONCLUSIONS: Retroperitoneoscopic renal-cyst decortication is a safe, minimally invasive, and efficacious procedure for the treatment of painful renal cysts, with a durable response.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy for complete staghorn calculi in preschool children.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for the management of complete staghorn calculi in children <or=5 years old. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The charts of 19 preschool children (15 boys, 4 girls) aged 20 months to 5 years (mean 4.2 years) with complete staghorn calculi who underwent PCNL at our center over a 3-year period were reviewed. The mean stone burden was 972 mm2 (range 870-1210 mm2). All procedures were performed with the patient in the prone position after retrograde catheterization with a 5F ureteral catheter. Fluoroscopyguided punctures were made by the urologist followed by track dilation to 24F. A 19F sheathless nephroscope passed through an Amplatz sheath was used in all cases. Flexible nephroscopy was used as an adjunct where necessary. Postoperative stone clearance was documented by plain film or, for radiolucent calculi, ultrasonography. RESULTS: The majority of children (68%; N = 13) required two tracts, while five children (26%) required only one tract and one child required three. Complete clearance with PCNL monotherapy was achieved in 17 patients (89%), which increased to 94.7% with adjunctive shockwave lithotripsy. Stone analysis revealed struvite in 1, uric acid in 3, and calcium oxalate monohydrate in 15 patients. CONCLUSION: In preschool children, PCNL for complete staghorn calculi is a safe and effective method for maximal stone clearance.

Calcium↗
PubMed2005

Perioperative complications of robotic radical prostatectomy after the learning curve.

PURPOSE: We assessed the incidence of and analyzed factors that contributed to perioperative complications in patients undergoing robotic radical prostatectomy, that is Vattikuti Institute prostatectomy (VIP), at our institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We recorded operative and postoperative data on 300 consecutive patients who underwent VIP at our institution during a 1-year period. All operations were performed by 1 of 2 surgeons (MM or JOP). We reviewed the complications seen in these patients. RESULTS: There was no operative mortality and no case was converted to open surgery. A total of 269 (89.7%) patients were considered to have an ideal postoperative course, ie they were discharged home within 48 hours with no unscheduled office visits or complications. There were 14 unscheduled postoperative visits (4.7%) for transient urinary retention after early catheter removal (13) or hematuria (1). There were 17 complications, of which 16 (5.3%) were related to surgery and 1 was related to anesthesia. A total of 11 complications (3.7%) were minor (grade I) and 5 (1.7%) were major (grade II). Of them 3 (1%) patients required reoperation. There were no grade III or IV complications. CONCLUSIONS: In our hands VIP is a safe operation with an overall complication rate of 5.3%, a major complication rate of less than 2% and a surgical re-intervention rate of 1%.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Spectrum of stone composition: structural analysis of 1050 upper urinary tract calculi from northern India.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present paper was to study the spectrum of stone composition of upper urinary tract calculi by X-ray diffraction crystallography technique, in patients managed at All India Institute of Medical Sciences. METHODS: Between 30 April 1998 and 31 March 2003, a total of 1050 urinary calculi (900 renal, 150 ureteric) were analyzed. The stone fragments were collected after extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy, or retrieval by endoscopic (percutaneous nephrolithotomy, ureterorenoscopy), laparoscopic and various open surgical procedures. The structural analysis of the stones was done using X-ray diffraction crystallography. RESULTS: Four types of primary and three secondary X-ray diffraction patterns were obtained. The primary patterns were as follows. Pattern A, well organized crystalline structure; pattern B, moderately organized crystalline structure; pattern C, poorly organized crystalline structure; pattern D, very poorly organized crystalline structure. The three secondary patterns mainly highlighted the mixed variety of stones. These patterns were further analyzed and compared with standard X-ray diffraction (powder) photographs. Of the 1050 stones analyzed, 977 (93.04%) were calcium oxalate stones, out of which 80% were calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) and 20% were calcium oxalate dihydrate (COD). Fifteen were struvite (1.42%) and 19 were apatite (1.80%). Ten were uric acid stones (0.95%) and the remaining 29 (2.76%) were mixed stones (COM + COD and calcium oxalate + uric acid, calcium oxalate + calcium phosphate, and calcium phosphate + magnesium ammonium phosphate). A total of 89.98% of staghorn stones were made of oxalates (COM/+COD) and only 4.02% were struvite. CONCLUSION: Urinary stone disease in the Indian population is different from that in Western countries, with a larger percentage of patients having calcium oxalate stones, predominantly COM. Also, the majority of staghorn stones (89.98%) were made of oxalates.

Adolescent↗