Using our prospectively derived database, we identified 17 patients with squamous-cell carcinoma involving the glans penis, who were treated using organ-sparing surgery between March 2003 and January 2008. Of them, two were treated with partial glansectomy with primary glans closure, and 15 underwent total glans amputation and reconstruction of a new glans using a split-thickness skin graft (STSG). These 15 patients represent the subject of our study (mean age 51 years, range 42 to 59 years). Overall, two patients had early partial loss of the graft and of them, one required surgical regrafting. Two late complications occurred, consisting of one meatal stenosis and one postoperative phimosis. At a mean follow-up of 36 months, functional results were extremely satisfactory. All patients maintained their erectile function with good vaginal penetration starting from 3 months after surgery, with a range between 2 and 6 months. Orgasm and ejaculation were preserved in all patients, although reduced glans sensitivity was reported by all patients. No local recurrences were reported.
Background:
The debate on the pros and cons of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy performed with (on-clamp) or without (off-clamp) renal artery clamping is ongoing. The aim of this meta-analysis is to summarize the available evidence on the comparative studies assessing the outcomes of these two approaches.
Material and methods:
A systematic review of the literature on PubMed, ScienceDirect®, and Embase® was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses Statement (PRISMA). Only comparative and case-control studies were submitted to full-text assessment and meta-analysis. RevMan 5.3 software was used.
Results:
From the initial retrieval of 1937 studies, 15 fulfilling inclusion criteria were selected and provided 2075 patients for analysis (702 off-clamp, 1373 on-clamp). Baseline tumor’s features showed a significant difference in size (weighted mean difference: –0.58 cm; 95% confidence interval: [–1.06, –0.10]; p = 0.02) and R.E.N.A.L. score (weighted mean difference: –0.53; 95% confidence interval: [–0.81, –0.25]; p = 0.0002), but not in the exophytic property, the location, and the PADUA score. Pooled analysis revealed shorter operative time (p = 0.02) and higher estimated blood loss (p = 0.0002) for the off-clamp group. Overall complication and transfusion rates were similar, while higher major complication rate was observed in the on-clamp approach (5.6% vs 1.9%, p = 0.03). No differences in oncological outcomes were found. Finally, functional outcomes (assessed by estimated glomerular filtration rate at early postoperative, 3 month, 6 month, and last available follow-up) were not statistically different.
Conclusion:
This meta-analysis shows that off-clamp robot-assisted partial nephrectomy is reserved to smaller renal masses. Under such conditions, no differences with the on-clamp approach emerged.
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