低位直肠癌保留神经的腹膜外侧方扩大清扫的效果分析

目的 探讨低位直肠癌保留神经的腹膜外侧方扩大清扫对患者术后生存率、排尿功能和性功能的影响。方法 回顾性分析我院1996年1月至2000年6月期间收治的392例进展期低位直肠癌实施保留神经的根治性切除术患者的临床资料，其中行腹腔内清扫173例，腹腔内加腹膜外侧方清扫219例，2组患者在年龄、性别、浸润肠壁深度及肿瘤病理组织学类型方面差异无统计学意义。结果 腹腔内加腹膜外侧方清扫组侧方淋巴结转移率为17．8％（39／219），侧方盆壁非连续性癌灶转移率为5，9％（13／219）。术后发生排尿功能障碍：腹腔内清扫组7例（4．0％），腹腔内加腹膜外侧方清扫组113例（51．6％），2组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）；性功能障碍：腹腔内清扫组93例男性患者中有12例（12．9％），腹腔内加腹膜外侧方清扫组119例男性患者中有62例（52．1％），2组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）；局部复发率：腹腔内清扫组为16．2％（28／173），腹腔内加腹膜外侧方清扫组为9．6％（21／219），2组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）；5年生存率：腹腔内清扫组为49．1％（85／173），腹腔内加腹膜外侧方清扫组为59．4％（130／219），2组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论 低位直肠癌保留神经的腹膜外侧方扩大清扫，可以减少局部复发，提高患者5年生存率，但也会影响患者术后排尿和男性性机能。     

The Swift operation: a modification of the Leiden nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy

In 2002, our group introduced an operation to avoid damage to the pelvic autonomous nerves during radical hysterectomy that proved to be feasible, effective and safe. During the last five years, we have adapted our surgical technique to make this procedure easier and safer in terms of radicality. We report on the changes in the surgical approach and the results in the first 15 consecutive patients. The Swift operation is more radical in the area of the uterosacral ligaments than the original operation, and it dissects the hypogastric nerve free under direct vision. In the area of the parametria, it is more radical in the deep lateral part. The vascular parametrial tissue is dissected and separated ventrally from the ureters. From October 2006 to February 2007, 15 consecutive patients with cervical cancer stage IA2 to IB2 underwent the Swift operation. The extra operating time amounted to 20 min, which was similar to the original operation, and with no extra blood loss. The suprapubic catheter was removed after a median of five days. Up until now (February 2008), no recurrences have been seen in these patients. It was concluded that the Swift procedure is easy to perform and that it offers advantages over the original operation in terms of safety and radicality.     

Improving the preservation of the urethral sphincter and neurovascular bundles during open radical retropubic prostatectomy

OBJECTIVES: To describe a technique for open nerve-sparing radical retropubic prostatectomy. METHODS: The technique basically implies incising the levator and prostatic fasciae high anteriorly (1 and 11 o'clock positions) over the prostate, developing the plane between the prostatic capsule and prostatic fascia, and displacing the neurovascular network localized between the two fasciae laterally. This allows for a minimal-touch dissection of the external urethral sphincter and a very efficient dissection of the neurovascular bundles at the level of membranous urethra and prostatic apex. RESULTS: Forty-two patients underwent a bilateral nerve-sparing operation and were followed- up for 6 months. Six patients (14.3%) had positive margins: 4 patients had pT2 disease (in all, the positive margin was monofocal) and 2 patients had pT3 disease (both had multifocal positive margins). Continence (defined as being dry or having one pad remain dry for 24 hours) was achieved in 44% of patients at catheter removal, and in 60%, 72%, and 90% of patients at the 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-up visits. Potency (defined as an erectile function domain score > or =26) was obtained in 15%, 40%, and 52% of patients at the 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-up visits. All patients used a PDE5-inhibitor during the investigation period. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results suggest that the high incision of the levator and prostatic fasciae may facilitate efficient preservation of the external urethral sphincter and the neurovascular bundles innervating the corpora cavernosa and the sphincter.     

Intrafascial nerve-sparing endoscopic extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy

OBJECTIVES: Based on our recently published anatomic studies, we present the most recent refinement of the endoscopic extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy (EERPE), the intrafascial nerve-sparing EERPE (nsEERPE). METHODS: As part of the intrafascial technique, the dissection plane is directly on the prostatic capsule, freeing the prostate laterally from its thin surrounding fascia that contains small vessels and nerves. The technique enables puboprostatic ligament preservation, leaving intact endopelvic fascia, periprostatic fascia, and neurovascular bundles. The operation was performed in 150 patients with indications for nerve-sparing procedure. RESULTS: The mean operative time was 131 min (range: 50-210 min) and the mean catheterization time was 5.9 d (range: 4-20 d). Twelve months postoperatively, 94.3% of the patients were continent (no need for pads), 4.6% had minimal stress incontinence, and one patient required >2 pads/d. At the 12-mo follow-up, the potency rates (erections sufficient for intercourse with or without the use of phosphodiesterase 5 [PDE5] inhibitors) of the patients who underwent bilateral intrafascial nsEERPE were 89.7% (age: 44-55 yr), 81.1% (age: 56-65 yr), and 61.9% (age: >65 yr). Positive surgical margins in pT2 and pT3 tumors were 4.5% and 29.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The intrafascial nsEERPE enables the dissection of the prostate with limited trauma to the surrounding fascias and the enclosed neurovascular bundles. We propose that the preserved neurovascular bundles with intrafascial nsEERPE are more viable. The results advocate this proposition.     

Technical refinement and learning curve for attenuating neurapraxia during robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy to improve sexual function

Background

While radical prostatectomy surgeon learning curves have characterized less blood loss, shorter operative times, and fewer positive margins, there is a dearth of studies characterizing learning curves for improving sexual function. Additionally, while learning curve studies often define volume thresholds for improvement, few of these studies demonstrate specific technical modifications that allow reproducibility of improved outcomes.

Objective

Demonstrate and quantify the learning curve for improving sexual function outcomes based on technical refinements that reduce neurovascular bundle displacement during nerve-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).

Design, setting, and participants

We performed a retrospective study of 400 consecutive RARPs, categorized into groups of 50, performed after elimination of continuous surgeon/assistant neurovascular bundle countertraction.

Surgical procedure

Our approach to RARP has been described previously. A single-console robotic system was used for all cases.

Outcome measurements and statistical analysis

Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite sexual function was measured within 1 yr of RARP. Linear regression was performed to determine factors influencing the recovery of sexual function.

Results and limitations

Greater surgeon experience was associated with better 5-mo sexual function (p = 0.007) and a trend for better 12-mo sexual function (p = 0.061), with improvement plateauing after 250–300 cases. Additionally, younger patient age (both p < 0.02) and better preoperative sexual function (<0.001) were associated with better 5- and 12-mo sexual function. Moreover, trainee robotic console time during nerve sparing was associated with worse 12-mo sexual function (p = 0.021), while unilateral nerve sparing/non–nerve sparing was associated with worse 5-mo sexual function (p = 0.009). Limitations include the retrospective single-surgeon design.

Conclusions

With greater surgeon experience, attenuating lateral displacement of the neurovascular bundle and resultant neurapraxia improve postoperative sexual function. However, to maximize outcomes, appropriate patient selection must be exercised when allowing trainee nerve-sparing involvement.     

Nerve sparing laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: our technique

PURPOSE: To describe our technique of nerve sparing laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP). We present the oncological and functional results (potency and urinary continence). MATERIAL AND METHODS: LRP has become standard at our institution based on experience with more than 2800 consecutive cases operated on between 1997 and 2005. From May 2003 to March 2005 a total of 677 LRP were performed, 425 consecutive patients candidates for a nerve sparing technique have been operated using the intrafascial approach. The challenge of our technique is to remove the prostate without any thermic and mechanic traumatism, avoiding dissection of outer layer. Oncological data were assessed by pathological examination and post-operative PSA level. Functional results were assessed with a self questionnaire. RESULTS: By pathological stage, 2 pT2a specimens (7.4%), 7 pT2b specimens (21%), 44 pT2c specimens (24%), 63 pT3a specimens (43%), 11 pT3b specimens (46%) were found to have positive surgical margins (SMs). In 86 specimen (59%) positive SMs were focal inframillimetric. Median follow-up was 11 months (range 1-22). The continence rate (no leakage/no pad) was 95% at 6 months, confirmed at 12 months among 202 patients. For 137 patients, potency rate was 58.5% at 12 months. CONCLUSION: Intrafascial LRP provides satisfactory results in regard to recovery of continence and sexual function. Long-term progression and survival outcome are necessary before this procedure should be offered as a replacement for interfascial nerve sparing technique.     

Frozen section for the management of intraoperatively detected palpable tumor lesions during nerve-sparing scheduled radical prostatectomy

OBJECTIVES: The intraoperative finding of palpable tumor lesions has been described as a contraindication for nerve-sparing (NS) radical prostatectomy (RP). However, its evaluation is subjective. Especially in patients with a strong demand to regain postoperative erectile function, a surgeon might be reluctant to sacrifice neurovascular bundles (NVBs) based on this information. We investigated the use of frozen section (FS) analysis to monitor the safety and efficiency of NS during RP in patients with intraoperatively identified subcapsular tumor lesions. METHODS: In 83 of 608 patients, who underwent NS-RP, intraoperative FS was performed because of a lesion palpable close to the capsule. A wedge of 4cm in diameter including the lesion was cut off and stained differently for capsule and intraprostatic margin. In case of presence of carcinoma adherent to the capsule, the NVB was resected; otherwise, the NVB remained in situ. RESULTS: Patients with palpable tumor lesions had pT3 tumors in 36% and 61% had Gleason 4 pattern, compared to 18% and 42% for the control group. Carcinoma was found in 93% of the FS specimens. In 42% of the FS samples, tumor had contact with the capsule and 14% of secondary resected NVB specimens demonstrated a carcinoma invasion. In 52% NVBs could be preserved despite an ipsilateral nodule without negatively affecting the margin status. However, the false-negative rate of the FSs was 6%. Conversely, FSs set the intraoperative decision to remove the NVB in 42% of FS patients, resulting in an additional 36% of negative margins. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with intraoperatively detected tumor lesions during a NS planned RP, FS objectively supports the decision of secondary NVB resection as well as preservation.     

Intraoperative electrical stimulation of the pelvic splanchnic nerves during nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to determine whether intraoperative electrical stimulation (IES) of pelvic splanchnic nerves (PSNs) while monitoring bladder contraction was useful to predict postoperative bladder function during conventional nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy. METHODS: Seventeen patients with stage Ib or IIa cervical cancer underwent conventional radical hysterectomy. IES was performed in all cases, stimulating the roots of PSN, the posterior sheath of the vesicouterine ligament (PVL) and the dorsal area of the ligament. After resection of the uterus, the PSN roots were stimulated again. Bladder function was evaluated by urodynamic study (UDS) preoperatively and 3 months after surgery. RESULTS: The results of IES were consistent with bladder function evaluated by postoperative UDS. In 13 of 17 cases, an increased intravesical pressure was observed with IES of the PSN roots after uterus resection. Nine of 13 cases showed marked detrusor contraction with UDS 3 months after surgery and were able to void without using abdominal pressure except in one case. In the remaining 4 of 17 cases, no response could be detected to IES on either side. Three cases voided using abdominal pressure and one used clean intermittent self-catheterization without spontaneous voiding. CONCLUSIONS: IES while monitoring intravesical pressure during radical hysterectomy represents a technically simple and useful procedure for the prediction of postoperative bladder function.     

Surgical and oncological outcomes of an improved nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy technique: 6 years of experience at two centres

Objective

An improved nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy (NSRH), which is based on the paravesico-vaginal space, has been recently introduced in a phase II, prospective clinical trial by our team. This study aims to report the surgical and oncological outcomes of this improved NSRH.