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Biomedical subjects

Udaya Kumar

Publications and source records attributed to Udaya Kumar.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Learning curve in human laparoscopic surgery.

Laparoscopic urology has gained considerable popularity since the first laparoscopic nephrectomy was performed. However, the rapid application of the technique in urologic practice has led to increased reports of complications, even in the hands of surgeons who are well experienced in open surgical techniques, often early in a surgeon's laparoscopic experience. The lack of translation of open surgical skills into laparoscopic results has led us to reappraise the learning curves relevant to open and laparoscopic surgery, to understand the differences, and enable us to make changes in the curriculum and the training to acquire laparoscopic skills.

Clinical Competence↗

External validation of outcome prediction model for ureteral/renal calculi.

PURPOSE: We externally validated a previously designed neural network model to predict outcome and duration of passage for ureteral/renal calculi. The model was also evaluated using a 6 mm largest stone dimension cutoff in predicting stone outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The model was previously designed on 301 patients at Albany Medical Center (free shareware from www.uroengineering.com). The model had a prediction accuracy of 86% for passage outcome and 87% for passage duration. In this study we tested the model on a separate 384 patients from 6 different external institutions to assess the prediction accuracy. All patients had a single renal/ureteral calculus by evaluation in an emergency room setting or by primary physicians and were then referred for further treatment. Model accuracy was also compared to using a 6 mm largest stone dimension cutoff in predicting the need for intervention. RESULTS: Testing on the 384 patients from all 6 external institutions revealed an outcome prediction accuracy of 88%. The area under the ROC curve was 0.9. Using a 6 mm stone size cutoff provided 79% (ROC 0.8) accuracy. The model duration of passage prediction accuracy was 80% (133 patients passed the stone, area under ROC of 0.8). CONCLUSIONS: The model provided high stone outcome prediction accuracy (ROC of 0.9 and 0.8) at the 6 external institutions, comparable to that of the design institution. The model provided higher accuracy than using only the largest stone dimension as a cutoff. Increasing experience will further assess the model's accuracy.

Adolescent↗

Prospective, randomized trial comparing shock wave lithotripsy and ureteroscopy for lower pole caliceal calculi 1 cm or less.

PURPOSE: The optimal management of lower pole renal calculi is controversial. We compared shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) and ureteroscopy (URS) for the treatment of patients with small lower pole stones in a prospective, randomized, multicenter trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 78 patients with 1 cm or less isolated lower pole stones were randomized to SWL or URS. The primary outcome measure was stone-free rate on noncontrast computerized tomography at 3 months. Secondary outcome parameters were length of stay, complication rates, need for secondary procedures and patient derived quality of life measures. RESULTS: A total of 67 patients randomized to SWL (32) or URS (35) completed treatment. The 2 groups were comparable with respect to age, sex, body mass index, side treated and stone surface area. Operative time was significantly shorter for SWL than URS (66 vs 90 minutes). At 3 months of followup 26 and 32 patients who underwent SWL and URS had radiographic followup that demonstrated a stone-free rate of 35% and 50%, respectively (p not significant). Intraoperative complications occurred in 1 SWL case (unable to target stone) and in 7 URS cases (failed access in 5 and perforation in 2), while postoperative complications occurred in 7 SWL and 7 URS cases. Patient derived quality of life measures favored SWL. CONCLUSIONS: This study failed to demonstrate a statistically significant difference in stone-free rates between SWL and URS for the treatment of small lower pole renal calculi. However, SWL was associated with greater patient acceptance and shorter convalescence.

Adult↗

Multi-institutional validation study of neural networks to predict duration of stay after laparoscopic radical/simple or partial nephrectomy.

PURPOSE: We developed models to predict post-laparoscopic radical or simple nephrectomy (LapNx) and post-laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LapPNx) hospital duration of stay (DOS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review (design group) of all 726 patients (July 1997 to April 2004) who underwent LapNx or LapPNx at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation (CCF). Preoperative findings were recorded. Neural network algorithms were designed to predict the DOS before surgery. The models were then tested on a separate 252 patients from 6 different institutions, namely Tulane University Medical School, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, University of Iowa, Mayo Clinic at Scottsdale and CCF. RESULTS: In the CCF design groups, the LapNx model accuracy was 73% to 74% and the LapPNx model 73% to 83%. Overall accuracy in the test groups at all 6 institutions was 72% (area under ROC 0.6 to 0.7) for the LapNx model and 52% to 81% (ROC 0.5 to 0.7) for the LapPNx model. CONCLUSIONS: The LapNx model provides 72% accuracy in predicting the DOS at all 6 institutions. The LapPNx model provided fair accuracy only at CCF and Tulane University Medical School. These models may streamline the delivery of care and continued testing will allow for further refinement.

Algorithms↗