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Biomedical subjects

H Villavicencio

Publications and source records attributed to H Villavicencio.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Perineal prostatectomy].

There is a lack of prospective randomised trials comparing the efficacy of the different techniques for treating localised prostate cancer. Consequently, selecting one rather than the other appears very difficult. Even radical prostatectomy is controversial regarding its best approach--perineal, retropubic or laparoscopic. The perineal route was the first to be undertaken, and it was dropped out due to the need of performing obturator lymphadenectomy by a separate approach. Widespread use of prostate-specific antigen as a screening method has enabled to diagnose prostate cancer at its early stages, when the potential for lymphatic dissemination is low, which enables to obviate Lymphadenectomy in most patients. This was a promoting circumstance to use the perineal route in radical prostatectomies. In this article we discuss the perineal radical prostatectomy surgical technique, its indications, and its advantages and disadvantages as compared to other approaches.

Humans↗

Nephron-sparing surgery for renal tumor: a choice of treatment in an allograft kidney.

The incidence of de novo malignancies is an accepted complication of organ transplantation. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) was 4.6% of cancers occurring de novo in organ allograft recipients compared with 3% in the general population. Less than 10% of these renal cancers affected the renal allograft. Among patients developing a renal tumor in the kidney allograft, transplant nephrectomy reduced the quality of life. For these patients for whom preservation of renal function is a relevant clinical consideration, partial nephrectomy may be considered the choice for treatment. Fifteen cases have been reported regarding conservative surgery on kidney transplant tumors. Herein we have reported three cases of renal masses in well-functioning kidney transplants that were successfully treated with nephon-sparing surgery. Our experience demonstrated that in selected patients, nephron-sparing surgery on a renal allograft represents a feasible approach for tumor removal with preservation of graft function.

Adult↗

Cystectomy in patients with high risk superficial bladder tumors who fail intravesical BCG therapy: pre-cystectomy prostate involvement as a prognostic factor.

PURPOSE: To review understaging and outcome of patients who underwent radical cystectomy (RC) for high risk superficial bladder cancer after bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) failure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We carried out a retrospective study of 62 cases in which RC was indicated for clinical stage Tis, Ta, T1 transitional cell bladder tumors that failed transurethral resection (TUR) and BCG treatment. We used BCG (81 mg/Connaught BCG) in patients with superficial grade 3 tumors and CIS. We considered BCG failure a high-grade recurrence at 3 months of the first BCG course or after 2 courses. RC indications, correlation between their clinical and pathological stage and the ensuing progress were analyzed. We assessed the existence of any pre-cystectomy clinical or pathological factor related to understaging and survival. RESULTS: RC was performed in 22 patients with carcinoma in situ (CIS) (35%), 7 with Ta (11,2%), 31 with T1 (50%), and 2 with Tx tumors (3%). All 62 but one were high-grade tumors (grade 3 and/or CIS). Tumor was clinically understaged with stages pT2 or greater on the RC specimen in 17 patients (27%). The presence of tumor in the prostatic urethra at the moment of endoscopic staging before RC was the only factor associated with clinical understaging (p=0.003) and shorter survival (p<0.0002). Five-year disease-specific survival rate was significantly lower in understaged (38%) as compared with not-understaged patients (90%) after a median follow-up of 40-months (range 1-142) (p=0.006). Overall five-year disease-specific survival was 79%. CONCLUSIONS: RC should be performed prior to progression in high risk superficial tumors that fail after TUR and BCG. In patients with clinical and pathological nonmuscle invasive disease, RC provides an excellent disease-free survival. One third of patients with HRSBT who underwent RC after BCG failure were understaged and had a shorter survival. Tumor in the prostatic urethra at endoscopic staging was the only factor associated to understaging and shorter survival.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Bladder blood flow and de-obstructive open prostatectomy: correlation with clinical and urodynamic parameters.

PURPOSE: To assess the relation between tissue blood flow changes during surgery with clinical and urodynamic parameters in obstructed patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective study was conducted in 18 symptomatic patients with bladder outlet obstruction undergoing retropubic prostatectomy. A symptom assessment and a preoperative urodynamic study were performed. To measure bladder blood flow a BLF-10 laser Doppler flowmeter and a blunt-tipped probe were used intraoperatively. Tissue flow was measured in TPU units (1 TPU unit=1 ml per minute per 100 mg of tissue). Six measurements were taken: two control in the rectus abdominis muscle and four in the detrusor, two before the incision of the prostatic capsule and two after closure. For the statistical analysis, Wilcoxon test and a regression analysis were performed. RESULTS: Mean age was 70 years (range: 56-84). Six patients had an episode of acute urinary retention (AUR). No differences were found in the initial and final values of bladder blood flow of the rectus muscle and the bladder dome. A decrease of bladder blood flow in the anterior bladder wall was observed after prostate enucleation. AUR patients showed no differences in bladder blood flow values. Bladder blood flow (BBF) changes showed no correlation with any urodynamic or clinical parameter. CONCLUSIONS: Laser Doppler flowmetry is useful to study BBF with low morbidity, ease of use and reproducibility. Following de-obstructive surgery, a decrease in BBF occurs, probably associated with surgery. These changes are similar in patients with and without AUR and show no correlation with other parameters studied.

Aged↗

Clamping of the renal artery in laparoscopic partial nephrectomy: an old device for a new technique.

OBJECTIVE: We describe our experience with the transient clamping of the renal artery during laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for renal cancer with a double loop clamping device, inspired by the Rumel tourniquet. The silastic rubber loop is positioned around the renal artery and clinched, thus achieving arterial occlusion. METHODS: From November 2002 until July 2004, fourteen consecutive patients (mean age of 58 +/- 11.6 years) underwent laparoscopic transperitoneal partial nephrectomy using the silastic rubber clamping device, eight of them on the right side and six on the left side. Hemorrhage of the renal defect was controlled with bipolar electrocoagulation, argon beam coagulation, laparoscopic sutures, surgical and fibrin glue. RESULTS: : The mean surgical time was 198.92 +/- 39.95 min for a mean tumour size of 2.9 +/- 2.32 cm and a mean blood loss of 104.57 +/- 77.69 ml. The clamping device was easily and successfully positioned around the renal artery in 2.05 +/- 0.45 min and the mean warm ischemic time was 25.21 +/- 6.07 min. CONCLUSIONS: The clamping device procures successful atraumatic occlusion of the renal artery during laparoscopic partial nephrectomy without the need for an additional port. As such, it could be considered as an alternative for the laparoscopic bulldog and Satinsky clamp.

Constriction↗

Percutaneous management of transplant ureteral fistulae is feasible in selected cases.

INTRODUCTION: Ureteral fistulae in renal transplants may develop as a consequence of compromised ureteral vascularity or from a technical factor related to the ureteroneocystostomy, the latter typically developing within the first 72 hours posttransplant. Recently, percutaneous nephrostomy drainage has been used with increasing frequency for the initial management. It alone can lead to resolution of the fistula in at least some patients. The aim of the study was the evaluation of endourological management of ureteral fistulae in renal transplants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between August 1981 and February 2004, 1000 adult recipients underwent renal transplantation. Sixteen out of 29 patients who developed ureteral fistulae were managed endourologically; 13, open surgery. The items recorded on these patients included the type of ureteroneocystostomy, the time to fistula diagnosis, the image technique, the type of ureteral stents, and the clinical evolution. RESULTS: The 13 patients who underwent open surgery did well. Endourological management of ureteral fistula was successfully performed in 10 of 16 cases. In all of them percutaneous nephrostomy drainage with stenting of the ureter with a double-J catheter did not prove any advantage to no stent (66.6% vs 57%). In 13 of these 16 patients in which the passage of contrast into the bladder was demonstrated, the fistula resolved in 10 cases (77%), while none of the three cases with no flow into the bladder were helped by this approach. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous techniques can provide definitive management for 62% of renal allograft patients who develop ureteral fistula beyond 72 hours after renal transplant.

Adult↗

Endourological management is better in early-onset ureteral stenosis in kidney transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of ureteral stenosis in kidney transplant recipients is 3%-8%. The treatment of ureteral stenosis has been traditionally operative reconstruction, although such intervention is associated with high rates of serious complications, including graft loss and even perioperative mortality. More recently, endourological treatment has been proposed due to its low morbidity. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the usefulness of balloon percutaneous dilatation as a treatment technique for ureteral stenosis in kidney transplant recipients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Among 1000 kidney transplantations performed between 1980 and 2004, the coexistence of high creatinine values and urinary tract dilatation in the postoperative period, after discarding concomitant causes, was managed with a percutaneous nephrostomy. Once renal function recovered, antegrade pyelography was performed to confirm the presence and determine the location of ureteral stenosis. Ureteral dilatation was performed using a 5-French balloon-fitted angioplasty catheter. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients were diagnosed with ureteral stenosis during follow-up, an incidence of 5.6%. Transluminal balloon dilatation was the first therapeutic option in 45 cases, whereas surgery was performed directly on 11 patients. Disappearance of the stenosis as well as maintenance of an improved creatinine level was verified in 45% of cases (20 patients). Two patients experienced graft loss. Both a short time to diagnosis after transplantation (P = .06) and the presence of a previous acute rejection episode (P < .05) were good prognosis factors for the endourologic solution of a ureteral stricture. CONCLUSIONS: Balloon dilatation may be considered the definitive procedure for treatment of ureteral stenosis in selected cases. Percutaneous nephrostomy should be used for initial diagnosis and improvement in the renal function before attempting an open procedure.

Adult↗

Chromosomal high-polysomies predict tumour progression in T1 transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.

UNLABELLED: The main prognostic factor generally accepted for tumour progression in T1 transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder is histological grade. Despite this fact it is considered inaccurate to make clinical decisions on individuals. It appears that progression from minimally invasive to deeply invasive cancer is concurrent with the acquisition of genomic alterations that increase the malignant potential of cancer cells. The aim of this study is to determine if changes in chromosomes 7, 8, 9 and 17 copy number can be used to predict recurrence and progression in patients with T1 TCC of the urinary bladder. METHODS: Thirty-one T1 TCC samples were analyzed for chromosomal alterations by fluorescence in situ hybridization using centromeric probes for chromosomes 7, 8, 9 and 17. Clinical data were collected from the patients' clinical records and correlated with chromosomal studies. RESULTS: Histological grade was confirmed as a prognostic factor of tumour progression (p=0.01). None of the cytogenetic alterations demonstrated in the studied group could be related to tumour recurrence. The high-polysomies (five or more copies) of chromosomes 8, 9 and 17 showed predictive value (p=0.05, 0.05, 0.03 respectively) for tumour progression since it was observed that patients with high-polysomy of these chromosomes showed more risk of tumour progression towards muscle-invasive disease than those without high-polysomy alteration. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest a possible prognostic significance of highly aneuploid cells (high-polysomies of chromosomes 8, 9 and 17) in tumour progression of T1 TCC bladder tumours. FISH analysis is a reproducible technique for evaluating cytogenetic alterations and could contribute to the assessment of the individual prognosis of T1 transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.

Aged↗

Prevention of vesicoureteral reflux at the time of complete primary repair of the exstrophy-epispadias complex.

INTRODUCTION: With Mitchell's technique it is possible to perform bladder closure, reconstruction of epispadias and the bladder neck in one single procedure in an exstrophy patient. However the most common postoperative complication is pyelonephritis secondary to vesicouretral reflux. Reflux is closely linked to bladder exstrophy due to an abnormal anatomic development of the distal ureteral segment and to a pathologic bladder disposition. This problem is normally solved in subsequent surgical procedures. TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS: We decided to apply the technique described by Gil-Vernet as a first step of a bladder exstrophy repair following the Mitchell's technique. This ureteral advancement by means of trigonoplasty is a simple surgical procedure for vesicouretral reflux that preserves the intrinsic and extrinsic periureteral musculature. It is quite a short procedure that has yielded rates of success over 90%. CONCLUSIONS: The realization of this antireflux technique together with the primary closure could avoid later surgical correction in patients whose have had multiple operations.

Bladder Exstrophy↗

[Use of ureterocalicostomy in child].

INTRODUCTION: There are many clinical situations in wich it may be difficult to perform appropriately an anastomosis between the renal pelvis and the proximal portion of the uretersafely. Preservation of the organ depens upon the availability of surgical resources. In fact, that principle becomes particularipy significant when dealing with children. OBJECTIVES: To describe different clinical and surgical situations in wich the successful performance of ureterocalicostomy has enable us to maintain three renal units with function from child patients and without complications. METHOD AND PATIENTS: Three children aged 8, 4 and 1 year were submitted to surgery because of pyelocaliceal lithiasis in the first case and secundary ureteropelvic stenosis in the remaning two cases. RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 12 months, all three renal units were preserved and, according to the isotopic study, functionality was improved in the two cases of ureteropelvic obstruction and the normal preoperative function was preserved in the first case. No complications occurred either during the immediate postoperative period or up to the date of this review. CONCLUSION: Ureterocalicostomy should be considered a suitable alternative in different clinical situations in wich the ureteropelvic continuity could be compromised, or in cases of indundibulopelvic stenosis.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

[Living donor nephrectomy for kidney transplantation. Experience in the first two years].

OBJECTIVES: Laparoscopic surgery offers potential advantages in terms of diminishment of postoperative pain, shorter hospital stay, faster convalescence, and better cosmetic results. These advantages may increase kidney donation, making donation be accepted by more candidates. We report our first 2 years' experience with laparoscopic donor nephrectomy METHODS: Between March 2002 and February 2004 we performed 38 laparoscopic living donor nephrectomies for kidney transplantation. The technique of choice was the transperitoneal laparoscopic approach with four trocars, usually three of them from the start of the procedure--two 10-12 mm and one 5 mm--, and a 6.5 cm perumbilical midline incision for kidney retrieval at the end of the procedure. RESULTS: Receptor and donor survivals were 100%. Graft survival was 97.6%. There was not any case of delayed graft function. Donor: Mean operative time was 161 minutes (115-260). Mean estimated blood loss was 270 ml (100-1200). Three patients required blood transfusions, 2 units of packed red blood cells each. Mean hospital stay was 5.1 days (3-11). Mean warm ischemia time was 3.2 min. (2-10). Conversion to open surgery was necessary in four cases. Receptor: there have been three significant complications requiring surgical repair: one case of low arterial flow, one vesico ureteral leak, and one midurethra stenosis. Initial renal function: mean serum creatinine at one month was 147mmol/l, with a trend to improve to 126 mmol/l at one year, which is considered optimum. First postoperative day mean serum creatinine was 192mmol/l and the nadir was on second postoperative day with a value of 152mmol/l. CONCLUSIONS: We believe laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy is a real alternative to open surgery because it offers better recovery to the donor with the same capacity to preserve renal function in the receptor.

Humans↗

[Surgical treatment of the extrophy-epispadias complex. Review and current concepts].

Since earlier descriptions the surgical management of the bladder exstrophy and epispadias complex (BEEC) has experimented gradual changes in the search for good aesthetic and functional results. The initial urinary diversion and bladder plate removal has evolved under various authors either by improving or supplementing the above described advances, until reaching the staged functional closure and more recently the complete primary BEEC closure. These later techniques allow to obtain encouraging continence indexes and successful aesthetic results; the low incidence and complexity of this condition however, advises both in terms of early management and later complications that this should be managed in reference centres. Sharing on this spirit of technique combination in search for a satisfactory result for exstrophic newborns and inspired by Leadbetter's contribution to Young-Dees's procedure for vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) correction, we have added a new step to the complete primary BEEC closure known as the Mitchell's technique by performing Gil-Vernet's trigonoplasty to prevent VUR, closely associated to bladder exstrophy. We believe VUR can be prevented right from the first surgical approach in the exstrophic newborn.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Management and prognosis of transitional cell carcinoma superficial recurrence in muscle-invasive bladder cancer after bladder preservation.

PURPOSE: To assess the bladder preservation rate and cancer-specific survival after conservative treatment of superficial relapses in invasive tumors after bladder preservation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-one patients with invasive bladder tumor (T2) were treated using transurethral resection (TUR) followed by three cycles of systemic chemotherapy (carboplatin-vinblastine). After three weeks, an endoscopic reappraisal was made including deep TUR of the site of the original tumor and multiple cold cup biopsies. Forty-two patients retained their bladder (33 complete responses and 9 partial responses). RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 63 months, 18 patients recurred as superficial TCC tumor (43%). Fourteen patients with high grade superficial recurrence were treated with TUR and Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) instillations; two patients (G2-3 T1) with TUR as well as endovesical mytomicine, and two patients with low grade recurrence with only TUR. With a median follow-up of 44 months after TUR of first superficial relapse, there was only one case with progression of the disease without any evidence of bladder tumor. Two cystectomies were made due to carcinoma in situ (Cis) persistence and high grade superficial recurrence. Eighty-three percent of the patients who had superficial recurrence retained their bladders, with 94% cancer-specific survival. CONCLUSIONS: A very strict follow-up is mandatory due to the high rate of superficial relapses (43%). Cis is the most frequent type of superficial recurrence. Superficial recurrences in bladder preservation may be treated with TUR and BCG instillations when they are high grade and and/or associated with Cis. Superficial recurrences do not imply a worse prognosis for bladder preservation or cancer-specific survival.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Endoscopic approach of the overinfected urachal cyst.

The overinfected urachus cyst presents itself in quite different forms. In spite of the accuracy of ultrasound and abdominal CT scan, sometimes the diagnosis of this urachal abnormality is imprecise and even misleading. This article describes the transvesical endoscopic drainage of an infected urachal cyst with optimum result upon the treatment of this condition.

Adult↗

Small cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder. Presentation of 23 cases and review of 134 published cases.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the morphological diagnostic criteria and biology of the urinary bladder small cell carcinoma (SCC). METHODS: Study of 23 cases of bladder SCC, looking for the clinical presentation, pathological features and evolution, and review of 134 previously published cases. RESULTS: The SCC is infrequent (0.48-1%), 50% of them have areas of transitional cell carcinoma, supporting the metaplastic theory. The classic small cell morphology is the best diagnostic criterion. The neurone-specific enolase and chromogranin A are good markers, but not indispensable. An early metastatic incidence (56%) with a high mortality rate (68.7%), mostly before 2 years after the diagnosis, is the typical evolution. Only the patients with additional cis-platinum-based chemotherapy have better prognosis. CONCLUSION: The pathologist should watch out for the presence of SCC and the urologist should consider the possibility of combined treatment for these cases.

Aged↗

Quality-of-life assessment in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: effects of various interventions.

A literature search was conducted to review quality-of-life (QOL) measurement in patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). The different QOL instruments are discussed in relation to their correlation with symptom evaluation in studies of treatment options for BPH. Symptom evaluation of BPH has been standardised internationally with the International Prostatic Symptom Score (IPSS), but there is neither agreement nor data to decide which QOL instrument is preferable. The most widely used QOL instrument is the disease-specific QOL single question added to the IPSS. Other QOL instruments have been used, but none has gained unanimous approval. The results of QOL assessments obtained from comparative clinical studies of treatment options for BPH are discussed. These studies compare treatment options such as watchful waiting, drug treatment and surgery. Disease-specific QOL domains (interference with daily activities) tend to improve more with treatment interventions than general health measures (i.e. general well-being). The use of QOL instruments to evaluate patients with BPH, and their many treatment options, is still open to debate with regard to which instruments are preferred and their importance to the clinical evaluation of the patient. The challenge remains to find an acceptable disease-specific QOL instrument that adds information to currently used disease measures of BPH.

Doxazosin↗