Surgical access to the adrenal gland: The quest for a “no visible scar” approach

Surgery of the adrenal glands has various approaches and remains technically challenging. Many different techniques have been used to decrease morbidity. The most important one is probably laparoscopy which has already quite dramatically improved clinical outcome. The second one is the introduction of posterior endoscopic approach (retroperitoneoscopy), which entirely preserves peritoneal integrity. This concept seems to us to be a fundamental in surgery of the retroperitoneum.Recently, new developments have emerged in the field of abdominal surgery. The most radical concept, known as Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES), consists of the introduction of both endoscope and working instruments through natural orifices in order to eliminate skin incisions and their associated morbidities.Although transperitoneal adrenalectomy has previously been reported in a porcine model, here we report our initial experiences of extra-peritoneal transvaginal NOTES approach of the retroperitoneum, focused on the field of adrenal surgery in both porcine and cadaver models. Whether clinical applications will ultimately be derived of this concept is still not clear certainly it raises new possibilities for interesting developments.     

In vivo microrobots for natural orifice transluminal surgery. Current status and future perspectives

The possibility to operate inside the peritoneal cavity through small holes performed in hollow organs that is presented by Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) represents a major paradigm shift in general surgery. While this new approach seems very appealing from patients' perspectives because it eliminates completely abdominal wall aggression and promises to reduce postoperative pain, it is very challenging for surgeons because of the major constraints imposed by both the mode of access and the limited technology currently available. For this reason NOTES applications at the present time are performed by only a few surgeons and mainly to perform non-complex procedures. While new devices are under development, many of them are trying mainly to simply improve current endoscopic platforms and seem not to offer breakthrough solutions. The numerous challenges introduced by natural orifice approaches require a radical shift in the conception of new technologies in order to make this emerging operative access safe and reproducible. The convergence of several enabling technologies in the field of miniaturization, communication and micro-mechatronics brings the possibility to realize on a large scale the revolutionary concept of miniature in vivo co-operative robots. These robots provide vision and task assistance without the constraints of the entry incision and have been shown in experimental settings to possess many qualities that could be ideal to partner with Natural Orifice Surgery. This article explores the current status of microrobotics as well as presents potential future scenarios of their applications in NOTES.     

High dose chemotherapy and germ cell tumor

Germ cell tumors are cured by cisplatin-based chemotherapy and secondary surgery. Patients with initial poor response to chemotherapy and relapsed disease patients have poor prognosis. Among different therapeutic approaches high dose chemotherapy with hematopoietic stem cell support has been studied. Despite the existence of a number of phase II trials and several well-conducted phase III trials, this approach is neither a standard nor an option in the setting of first line and first salvage treatment. A randomized phase III trial has recently been initiated and patients with relapsed disease should be offered to participate in the trial. Several selected indications could be discussed in further lines of treatment.     

Surgical treatment of vesicovaginal fistulas

To improve surgical outcomes in patients with complicated recurrent, radiation-induced, giant and multiple vesicovaginal fistulas, we have developed a new combined method of fistuloplasty (patent 21350999). The method was used in 12 of 32 operations made in 1997-2007 in the urological clinic of the Kazan Medical University for vesicovaginal fistula in patients aged 19 to 72 years. The technique was applied in women with vesicovaginal fistula located close to the ureteral orifice. Good results of the operation were achieved due to leak-proof sutures, accurate dissection of the bladder from the vagina and intact blood supply of the tissues. Two surgical approaches were used: transvesical and vaginal. Neither complications nor relapses occurred in all 12 patients operated by the proposed technique of combined fistuloplasty which proved to be effective in recurrent, complicated, combined fistulas and is a method of choice in complicated, recurrent, radiation-induced, giant and multiple fistulas.     

Ancillary N.O.T.E.S. procedures for early stage gastric cancer

The potential for performing truly scarless, safe surgery that at the same time may be less morbid is tempting both patients and physicians alike to seriously consider Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopy Surgery (NOTES) for a range of clinical applications. Given the move towards gastric-preservation by minimally invasive techniques for definitive management of early gastric cancer, this radical approach may find a niche within future clinical care paradigms for early stage malignant lesions of the stomach. Indeed already selected T1,N0 adenocarcinoma is being treated and even cured by advanced endoscopic techniques such as Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection. NOTES may initially therefore find a role in furthering the application of such endeavour by ensuring oncological providence in the treatment of those T1 lesions with higher risk of lymphatic metastases that currently are advised to lie outwith the scope of pure endoscopic resection (for reasons of oncological propriety rather than technical capacity). One such means NOTES could supplement ESD is by providing for direct sampling of sentinel nodes from the perigastric lymph basins. Subsequently perhaps a NOTES technique may develop capable of performing localized, full-thickness gastric wedge or sleeve resection for T2,N0 adenocarcinoma (and indeed perhaps other pathologies such as small gastrointestinal stromal tumors). This review examines how advancing technology along with progressive surgical thinking and innovation could lead to NOTES becoming absorbed into clinical care pathways for early gastric malignancy.     

Cautionary considerations regarding N.O.T.E.S. in oncology

Over the last number of years, the emphasis in abdominal surgery has been to reduce invasiveness and to minimise trauma to the patient. This has led to the rapid development of laparoscopic techniques initially for the surgical management of benign disease and later for the successful management of malignant disease. Laparoscopy has now been shown to provide significant benefits to the cancer patient, in particular the reduction of wound infection, herniation and pain. More recently, benefits have been demonstrated in earlier discharge from hospital and return to normal activity. Laparoscopy has therefore been accepted as at least a valid alternative to open surgery for most types of abdominal cancer.With the objective of reducing invasiveness even more, the last few years has seen a rapid expansion in the development of Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES). Currently, NOTES is still in the early stages of evolution but its potential uses in the field of cancer surgery are already being proposed. To develop NOTES to the stage that it will be safe, effective and widely available for the management of cancer patients represents a huge challenge ranging from the development of equipment and techniques to the demonstration of safety and efficacy in clinical trials as well as training and competence issues. It is still not clear whether these challenges will be surmounted so that NOTES becomes mainstream therapy. A period of ‘watchful waiting’ seems appropriate therefore for the uncommitted general surgeon in order that NOTES may be given time to prove compelling and convincing before its general uptake into routine practice.     

A new method of radiofrequency needle ablation of the prostate in the treatment of benign hyperplasia

The authors present the results of a new transvesical approach for radiofrequency needle ablation of the prostate in 29 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The ablation has been done using a new radiofrequency generator ESHFG-440-40-1 made in Russia. Upon 12-month follow-up urination normalized in 23 patients. This result is better than that after transurethral needle ablation. The transvesical needle ablation has no contradictions and can be used in a wide range of patients with BPH both in hospital and outpatient settings.     

Is there a place for N.O.T.E.S. in the diagnosis and treatment of neoplastic lesions of the pancreas?

Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is the latest minimally invasive technique in the surgical armamentarium. Indeed it is stoking controversy already among both practitioners and patients, challenging established surgical, ethical and even moral principles. One organ which has been at the forefront of minimally invasive intervention is the pancreas. This review looks at the basis for evolving NOTES capabilities in the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic diseases, with particular reference to neoplastic lesions and their complications. A summary of recent advancements in gastro-intestinal endoscopy and laparoscopic surgery as applied to the pancreas is presented. The possible role and feasibility of NOTES are outlined against this background.     

Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (N.O.T.E.S.) for neoplasia of the chest and mediastinum

Indications for Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery or NOTES have so far mainly concerned intra-abdominal surgery. The next question to be addressed was whether this access can be extended into other body cavities and, in particular, whether there is a significant role for NOTES above the diaphragm? Using the esophagus, one of the mediastinal organs, as a direct carrier to access the mediastinum and the pleural cavity would eliminate the dissection of the pretracheal fascia required by mediastinoscopy and would give access to the inner part of lung parenchyma. Alternatively, transgastric (or even transvaginal) transhiatal approaches could supplement standard operative techniques in order to minimize abdominal wall ingression. Furthermore, conventional techniques seem disproportionate measures for relatively simple procedures such as evaluating the outcome of chemotherapy and restaging of medically treated mediastinal lesions. As a truly minimal access technique, NOTES could therefore find new indications for intervention. The obvious limiting factor in all of this is assurance of ‘leak proof’ mural closure. However, if safety of access-site sealing can be established in clinical studies, we could have found an easier, reproducible alternative to the access to mediastinum. This review examines the rationale and evidence for proposing such a venture and deliberates its likely clinical applicability and thereby its potential to become a reality.     

Training on N.O.T.E.S.: From history we learn

Surgical errors occurring early in the learning curve of laparoscopic surgery providers delayed the uptake and progress of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for years. This taught us a valuable lesson; innovations in surgical techniques should not be rapidly implemented until all aspects including applicability, feasibility and safety have been fully tested. In 2005, the Natural Orifice Surgery Consortium for Assessment and Research (NOSCAR) published a white paper highlighting the barriers to NOTES development and identifying key elements for its progress. One of these elements is the training of future providers. Proficiency-based, virtual reality simulation will offer a feasible alternative to animal testing once the safety and efficacy parameters of NOTES are established. Recent advances in imaging including computed tomography (CT) scanning, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning, and ultrasound (US) scanning can offer improved image registration and real-time tracking. Combining these advanced imaging technologies with the newly designed virtual reality simulators will result in a fully comprehensive simulation curriculum which will offer a unique facility for future NOTES providers to train anytime, anywhere, and as much as they need to in order to achieve the pre-set proficiency levels for a variety of NOTES procedures. Furthermore they will incorporate patient-specific anatomical models obtained from patient imaging and uploaded onto the simulator to ensure face reliability and validity assurance. Training in a clean, safe environment with proximate feedback and performance analysis will help accelerate the learning curve and therefore improve patients' safety and outcomes in order to maximize the benefits of innovative access procedures such as NOTES.     

Rehabilitation beim Harnblasenkarzinom

The first goal of rehabilitation in patients with cancer of the bladder is the relief of functional alterations such as urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, or complications in handling the urostoma. Individually designed therapeutic strategies are required for rehabilitation of urological patients to improve quality of life and to achieve social and professional reintegration. Based on these aims, rehabilitation after therapy of bladder cancer under supervision of urologists is a necessity following first-line surgical therapy.     

New trends in prostatic cancer research. Three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3-D CRT), brachytherapy, and new therapeutic modalities

In prostatic cancer research three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3-D CRT), brachytherapy and new therapeutic modalities have been applied. Treatment planning and delivery of radiation therapy have substantially evolved in the past 20 years. The treatment of localized carcinoma of the prostate with 3-D CRT is described, preliminary clinical results are presented and compared with those with standard radiation therapy (SRT). The benefit of 3-D CRT hypothetically could be linked to improved local tumor control because of a better coverage of the target volume with a specific dose of irradiation, less acute and late toxicity, possibility of carrying out dose-escalation studies. Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) may be particularly useful in some cases. Further efforts are necessary with collaboration of urologists and radiation oncologists to continue to explore approaches to optimally select and manage patients with localized prostate cancer. A reliable assessment of the impact of 3-D CRT and IMRT on outcome should come from prospective randomized long-term studies. As for brachytherapy, standardized protocols should be developed to objectively evaluate brachytherapy in localized prostatic cancer. Recently a great deal of interest has been focused on new therapeutic modalities with chemotherapeutic agents, a new agent named prostate specific enhancer, a regulatory element of the PSA gene is being tested. Laboratory and animal studies of the viral construct have been reported. A phase I human clinical trial is being initiated in the U.S.A. in patients with postirradiation hormone refractory prostate cancer.     

Transoral laser resection for head and neck cancers

Transoral laser surgery has become a therapeutic option and even a standard for certain tumors of the larynx and pharynx. The postoperative course after this type of minimally invasive surgery has been shown to be significantly simpler, with less need for temporary tracheotomy and enteral feeding. For selected tumors amenable to this approach, the oncologic results have been shown to be equivalent to those obtained by classic external approaches. Transoral laser surgery requires specific equipment and training of the surgeon, the anaesthesiologist, the operating room team and the pathologist. Despite this specificity, but because of the simplified postoperative course, transoral laser surgery has already supplanted several external approaches and will in the future probably replace other techniques, as experience with the technique increases and the indications evolve.     

N.O.T.E.S.: The progression of a novel and emerging technique

Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) is the latest and perhaps most significant innovation in surgery since Phillipe Mouret of France performed the first laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 1987. This new “minimum-invasive” concept that promises scar-free surgery is steadily gathering momentum. It is another milestone in our quest to eliminate surgical trauma, speed patient recovery time and decrease surgical wound-related complications. On 22 July 2005, the Natural Orifice Surgery Consortium for Assessment and Research (NOSCAR) published a white paper highlighting the barriers to NOTES development, which included the need for appropriate selection of access points, effective closure of the enterotomy site, innovative tools, stable platforms and improved endoscopic orientation. These are just some of the many issues that need to be resolved before the NOTES concept and technique could become a common feature of modern surgery. The publication of the white paper ushered in the beginning of multiple research projects using animal models to test the application of NOTES and its newly developed instruments. The success in animal models was followed by several highly selected successful human trials. National and international surgical innovation departments should now be created where medical industry personnel including inventors, designers and engineers can work together with the medical and surgical providers to address all the limitations affecting NOTES progress.     

Urologische Aspekte in der Palliativmedizin

Several abdominal and pelvic tumors cause external compression of the ureters. Hydronephrosis resulting in renal insufficiency is the most common urological complication in the palliative situation. Although it is always possible to insert a ureteral catheter or, if this is not successful, to perform a nephrostomy, the indications for this in a palliative setting should be strongly considered. This is also true for the indications for definitive supravesical urinary diversion. Other tumor or therapeutically caused complications are macrohematuria and urinary fistula. Besides urological aspects within palliative care in general, the treatment of nearly all advanced urological tumors is of palliative character. Most important are sufficient pain medication and supportive care for complications such as supra- or infravesical urinary obstruction, incontinence, hematuria, urinary fistula, fractures and exulceration of the tumor. In patients with a supravesical urinary diversion, special aspects of the diversion have to be taken into account, e.g. metabolic acidosis.     

Natural orifice transendoluminal surgery and laparoendoscopic single-site surgery: the future of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy

Techniques for minimally invasive radical prostatectomy (RP) have been carefully reviewed by surgical teams worldwide in order to identify possible weaknesses and facilitate further improvement in their overall performance. The initial plan of action has been to carefully study the best-practice techniques for open RP in order to reproduce and standardize performance from the laparoscopic perspective. Similar to open surgery, the learning curve of minimally invasive RP has been well documented in terms of objective evaluation of outcomes for cancer control and functional results. Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) and laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) have recently gained momentum as feasible techniques for minimal access urological surgery. NOTES-LESS drastically limit the surgeon's ability to choose the site of entry for operative instruments; therefore, the advantages of NOTES-LESS are gained with the understanding that the surgical procedure is more technically challenging. There are several key elements in RP techniques (in particular, dorsal vein control, apex exposure and cavernosal nerve sparing) that can have significant implications on oncologic and functional results. These steps are hard to perform in a limited working field. LESS radical prostatectomy can clearly be facilitated by using robotic technology.     

The age of the urologist affects the postoperative care of prostate carcinoma patients.

BACKGROUND: Strategies utilized by urologists in managing prostate carcinoma patients after radical prostatectomy vary appreciably. The reason for this is unclear. The authors investigated the effect of practitioner age on management strategies. METHODS: From among the total of 12,500 American Urological Association (AUA) members, 4467 were randomly selected to receive a custom-designed survey about their care of prostate carcinoma patients after radical prostatectomy. Respondents were asked to describe their follow-up practices for patients treated with curative intent, their motivations regarding postoperative surveillance, their methods of evaluating a postoperative increase in serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) level, and their choices of treatment for patients with recurrent prostate carcinoma. RESULTS: One thousand fifty responses were analyzed. There was a statistically significant influence of practitioner age on the management of at-risk patients, but it was quite small. The typical workup for an elevated postoperative serum PSA level also varied significantly according to practitioner age; older urologists ordered more serum prostatic acid phosphatase levels and computed tomography scans of the abdomen and pelvis, whereas younger urologists ordered more bone scans. The treatment of recurrent prostate carcinoma did not vary significantly according to urologist age. The opinions of older urologists regarding the survival benefits of postoperative surveillance were considerably different from the opinions of their younger colleagues. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that urologist age accounts for some of the variation in the postoperative management of prostate carcinoma patients. Differences in beliefs regarding the benefits of surveillance may be partially responsible for this. Persuasive clinical research will probably be required to increase the uniformity of practice in this important area.     

Surgical access in interventions on the kidney,adrenal gland and upper and middle third of the ureter

The paper presents indications for, techniques and feasibility of different approaches--thoracophrenolaparotomy (TPL), vertical median and transverse subcostal laparotomy as well as anterolateral lumbotomy--in various retroperitoneal surgical conditions. TPL approach providing maximal radicality and safety in serious operations is thought basic in operative urology. The authors believe that the rest approaches are variants of abdominal part of TPL performed isolated. Thus, if one of the abdominal approaches meets with technical difficulties and a risk of serious complications, these difficulties are overcome by conversion of the approach to TPL.     

Is there a best transplant conditioning regimen for acute myeloid leukemia?

The outcome of marrow transplantation is largely determined by the effectiveness of the transplant preparative regimen. Nonetheless, there have been startlingly few randomized trials attempting to identify optimal regimens for specific conditions and, at present, no single approach has emerged as superior for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in the few trials that have been performed. Newer approaches that appear encouraging in phase II studies include substituting etoposide for cyclophosphamide, adding thiotepa to the traditional cyclophosphamide plus total body irradiation combination in the setting of T cell depletion, and using antibody-based targeted radiotherapy as part of the transplant regimen. The ability to obtain allogeneic engraftment with nonablative regimens may open the door to additional innovative approaches, combining very specific antileukemia therapy with relatively nontoxic measures to ensure engraftment.