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Transrectal implantation of electromagnetic transponders following radical prostatectomy for delivery of IMRT
Canter Daniel , Kutikov Alexander , Horwitz M. Eric , Greenberg E. Richard, MD Department of Urologic Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Surgical treatment for men with localized prostate cancer open, laparoscopic, or robotically-assisted-- remains one of the therapeutic mainstays for this group of patients. Despite the stage migration witnessed in patients with prostate cancer since the introduction of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening, detection of extraprostatic disease at the time of surgery and biochemical recurrence following prostatectomy pose significant therapeutic challenges. Radiation therapy (RT) after radical prostatectomy (RP) has been associated with a survival benefit in both the adjuvant and salvage setting. Nevertheless, optimal targeting of the prostate bed following surgery remains challenging. The Calypso 4D Localization System (Calypso Medical Technologies, Seattle, WA, USA) is a target positioning device that continuously monitors the location of three implantable electromagnetic transponders. These transponders can be placed into the empty prostatic bed after prostatectomy to facilitate the delivery of radiation therapy in the post-surgical setting. In this article, we detail our technique for transrectal placement of electromagnetic transponders into the post-prostatectomy bed for the delivery of adjuvant or salvage intensity-modulated radiation therapy. We prefer this technique of post-surgical radiation therapy because it allows for improved localization of the target area allowing for the maximal delivery of the radiation dose while minimizing exposure of surrounding normal tissues. Although emerging, our initial oncologic and functional outcomes have been promising.
Keywords: salvage radiation, vacuum erection device, erectile dysfunction, phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitor,
Aug 2011 (Vol. 18, Issue 4 , Page 5844) -
Management of post-prostatectomy erectile dysfunction
Jamal E. Joseph , Engel D. Jason, MD Department of Urology, George Washington University Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
The management of post-prostatectomy erectile function has been debated since the nerve sparing radical prostatectomy was first introduced. A number of penile rehabilitation protocols have been proposed with varying degrees of success and patient satisfaction. My management of post-prostatectomy erectile dysfunction has evolved based on an honest and critical appraisal of the literature and my own experience and research. A review of major studies published on the topic of post-prostatectomy penile rehabilitation is included here, in addition to a critical evaluation of my own clinical practice. After evaluating the efficacy of these various approaches, it is clear to me that a nerve sparing procedure is only one of many factors involved in recovering erectile function. Moreover, in addition to assessing a patients goals and their motivation for erectile function after prostatectomy, setting appropriate patient expectations is paramount to avoiding patient frustration. A frank evaluation and discussion with a patient and their partner is paramount to managing these expectations. A 'one size fits all' approach is not appropriate. Herein, I discuss the evolution of my approach to managing post-prostatectomy erectile dysfunction.
Keywords: radical prostatectomy, salvage radiation, vacuum erection device, erectile dysfunction, phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitor, rehabilitation,
Jun 2011 (Vol. 18, Issue 3 , Page 5726) -
Ureteroileal anastomotic strictures after a Bricker ileal conduit: 50 case assessment of the impact of conversion from a slit incision to a shield shaped ileotomy
Cheng Marina , Looney W. Stephen , Brown A. James, MD Division of Urology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, USA
PURPOSE: Ureteroileal anastomotic stricture is a late complication of Bricker ileal conduits. We report our utilization of a 'shield shaped' rather than a standard slit ileotomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed a single surgeon's experience performing Bricker ileal conduits, initially using a slit incision, then a shield shaped ileotomy. Patient demographics, type of ileotomy, indication, history of prior radiation or chemotherapy, development of postoperative ureteroileal anastomotic stricture, date of stricture diagnosis, imaging modality, stricture treatment, outcome, and length of follow up were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 50 ileal conduit patients were identified between 2001-2009. A traditional slit incision ileotomy was performed in 25 patients (Group 1) and a shield shaped ileotomy was performed in the following 25 (Group 2). After excluding 1 patient in each group that died within 90 days postoperatively, a total of 95 renal units were anastomosed, (Group 1: 24 patients, 48 renal units, 2001-2005; and Group 2: 24 patients, 47 renal units, 2006-2009). A total of 8 (8.3%) ureteroileal anastomotic strictures were identified: 6 (12.5%) in Group 1, including 1 with bilateral strictures, and 2 (4.3%) in Group 2. Stricture diagnosis occurred at 1, 4, 4, 5, 14 and 42 months in Group 1, and at 6 and 10 months in Group 2. Mean follow up was 24.2 (2-85) months and 12.3 (2-26) months for each cohort, respectively. No increase in postoperative anastomotic leakage was identified. CONCLUSIONS: Modifying the standard ileotomy slit to a shield shaped incision does not eliminate postoperative anastomotic strictures. This technique provides greater visualization of the suture line, making it technically easier to perform.
Keywords: posterior urethral valves, adulthood, late diagnosis, outcome,
Apr 2011 (Vol. 18, Issue 2 , Page 5644) -
High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)
Barkin Jack, MD Humber River Regional Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
INTRODUCTION: Curative treatments for localized prostate cancer, from least invasive to most invasive, include brachytherapy, cryosurgery, three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy, external beam radiation therapy, and radical prostatectomy. A patient with localized, low risk or intermediate risk prostate cancer who is diagnosed at an early age and receives one of these treatments has only an approximately 50% chance of maintaining an undetectable prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, good spontaneous erections, and total continence by 5 years after treatment. OBJECTIVE: This article discusses transrectal high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment of localized prostate cancer using the Sonablate 500 (Focus Surgery, Indianapolis, IN, USA) device, which the author has adopted in favor of the Ablatherm (EDAP, TMS S. A., Lyons, France) device, the other HIFU device approved for use in Canada. METHOD: Characteristics of the ideal prostate cancer include stage T1-T2b, less than 40 cc in size, and with an anterior-posterior dimension of up to 35 mm high. The anterior zone of the prostate is treated before the posterior zone. The procedure involves 2 to 3 second bursts of ultrasound energy, followed by 3 second cooling cycles. In each treatment lesion, the physician achieves a temperature of 100 C at the focal point. The device allows for real-time visualization of tissue response following the delivery of ultrasound energy. CONCLUSION: HIFU is a minimally invasive, outpatient treatment for localized prostate cancer that provides similar short term and medium term cure rates and considerably less morbidity and side effects than other treatments. Although the effectiveness of HIFU has not yet been demonstrated in large, long term studies, this treatment option should be discussed with patients who have just been diagnosed with low risk or intermediate risk prostate cancer and desire aggressive, noninvasive, curative therapy, with potentially a lower incidence of side effects compared to conventional therapy.
Keywords: prostate cancer, HIFU,
Apr 2011 (Vol. 18, Issue 2 , Page 5634) -
Olympus PlasmaButton transurethral vaporization technique for benign prostatic hyperplasia
McClelland Michael, MD Urology Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
OBJECTIVE: This article will describe an efficient and effective method of using Olympus PlasmaButton (Olympus, Southborough, MA, USA) for transurethral vaporizations of the prostate (TUVP). METHODS: This method was developed over the last 18 months. Patients undergoing this Olympus PlasmaButton TUVP had the inner aspect of the prostate vaporized until it was believed to be significantly open and unobstructed. RESULTS: Patients were found to do very well with what appears to be durable results. Postoperative short and long term bleeding has not been a significant issue using this method. CONCLUSION: The Olympus PlasmaButton procedure is a new minimally invasive therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). As with all new technologies there are methods that a surgeon learns with increased experience that help make the procedure more effective, efficient, and safer. This article shows one surgeon's technique that has been developed over time and has become a successful way to manage patients undergoing the minimally invasive transurethral vaporization of the prostate. There are probably other vaporization techniques that surgeons have learned with use of the PlasmaButton that may be equally effective.
Keywords: benign prostatic hyperplasia, photovaporization, transurethral vaporization of the prostate, technique,
Apr 2011 (Vol. 18, Issue 2 , Page 5630)
Humber River Health