Robotic assisted laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation offers similar success rates to the gold standard, open ureteral reimplantation. Future large scale studies will be required to define further the costs and benefits of robotic assisted laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation in the surgical treatment of vesicoureteral reflux.

This study confirms that even within the confines of a pediatric urology training program successful collaboration between robotic surgeons, surgical nurses and anesthesiologists can lead to shorter operative times and hospital stays. Long-term surgical success and complication rates were comparable to open surgery.

Fluorescence imaging is a feasible alternative radiological imaging modality to diagnose ureteropelvic junction obstruction. It provides continuous, detailed imaging without the risk of radiation exposure.

United States Preventive Services Task Force recommendations appeared to have decreased prostate cancer screening. The greatest impact was seen for urologists and patients in the intermediate age group. Further study is needed to determine the long-term effects of these recommendations on the screening, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of this prevalent malignancy.

No abstract

Introduction: We sought to determine the patient and providerrelated factors associated with readmission after radical cystectomy (RC) for bladder cancer. In this era of healthcare reform, hospital performance measures, such as readmission, are beginning to affect provider reimbursement. Given its high readmission rate, RC could be a target for quality improvement. Methods: We reviewed bladder cancer patients who underwent RC in California's State Inpatient Database (2005Database ( -2009) of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project. We examined patient-(e.g., race, discharge disposition) and provider-related factors (e.g., volume) and evaluated their association with 30-day readmission. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine associations of interest. Results: Overall, 22.8% (n = 833) of the 3649 patients who underwent RC were readmitted within 30 days. Regarding disposition, 34.8%, 50.8%, and 12.2% were discharged home, home with home healthcare, and to a post-acute care facility (PACF), respectively. Within 30 days, 20.3%, 20.9%, and 42.3% were discharged home, home with home healthcare, and to a PACF were readmitted, respectively. African Americans (odds ratio [OR] 1.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07-2.50), having ≥2 comorbidities (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.06-1.91), receiving a neobladder (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.09-1.93), and discharged to a PACF (OR 3.79, 95% CI 2.88-4.98) were independent factors associated with readmission. Hospital stays ≥15 days were associated with less readmission (OR 0.43, p = 0.0002). Procedure volume was not associated with complication, in-hospital mortality, or readmission. Conclusions: About one-fifth of patients undergoing RC are readmitted. Patients who are discharged to a PACF, African American, and who have more extensive comorbidities tend to experience more readmissions. Increased efforts with care coordination among these patients may help reduce readmissions.

Near infrared imaging offers a feasible way to obtain live, dynamic images of urine flow and ureteral peristalsis. Qualitative and quantitative parameters were comparable to those of conventional imaging. Findings support fluorescence imaging as an accurate, easy to use method of diagnosing ureteropelvic junction obstruction.

Introduction: Length-of-stay (LOS), 30-day readmission, and 30-day mortality are metrics used to assess quality of care and provider reimbursement. Therefore, we investigated patient-and hospital-level characteristics associated with the three healthcare quality metrics for radical nephrectomy with inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombectomy. Methods: Using the National Cancer Data Base, we established a cohort of patients who received radical nephrectomy following the diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) stage cT3b between 1998 and 2011. We then assessed the associations between patient-or hospital-level characteristics and LOS using multivariable negative binomial regression. We used multivariable logistic regression to determine the associations between the characteristics and 30-day readmission or 30-day mortality. Results: During the study period, 5768 patients were diagnosed with RCC stage cT3b and underwent radical nephrectomy. LOS ≤2 days and ≥9 days were associated with a higher likelihood of 30-day readmission (respective odds ratio [OR] 1.61 and 1.58) and 30-day mortality (respective OR 11.62 and 11.87). Older patients (60-79 years vs. <50 years) were less likely to experience 30-day readmission (OR 0.46-0.52). Older patients (≥80 years vs. <50 years, OR 3.67) and patients with a high index of comorbidity (Charlson comorbidity score ≥ 2 vs. 0, OR 1.95) were more likely to suffer 30-day mortality. Conclusions: LOS is an important predictor of short-term readmission and mortality following radical nephrectomy with IVC thrombectomy. Older age and a high index of comorbidity also predict short-term mortality after the surgery.