Introduction:We assessed outcomes and costs of open prostatectomy (OP) versus robotic-assisted prostatectomy (RAP) at a single tertiary care university hospital. Results:The 2 groups had similar demographics, including mean age (64.7 vs. 64.2) and mean body mass index (27.2 vs. 27.2). The OP group had a higher proportion of higher risk cancers compared to the RAP group (32.5% vs. 8.5%). Mean skin-to-skin operative room time was less for the OP (114.2 vs. 234.1 minutes). Transfusion rates were similar at 1.5% with OP compared to 3.5% with RAP. The mean length of stay was 1.78 days for OP compared to 1.76 days for RAP, for the last 100 patients in each group. The OP group had more high-grade disease in the prostatectomy specimen, with Gleason ≥8 in 23.5% compared to 3.5% in the RAP group. Positive surgical margin rates were comparable at 31% for OP and 24.6% for RAP, and remained similar after stratification for pT2 and pT3 disease. The grade I and II perioperative complication rate (ClavienDindo classification) was lower in the OP group (8.5% vs. 20%). Postoperative stress urinary incontinence rates (4.8% for OP and 4.6% for RAP) and biochemical-free status (91.8% for OP and 96% for RAP) did not differ at 12 months post-surgery. The additional cost of RAP was calculated as $5629 per case. The main limitations of this study are its retrospective nature and lack of validated questionnaires for evaluation of postoperative functional outcomes. Conclusion: While hospital length of stay, transfusion rates, positive surgical margin rates and postoperative urinary incontinence were similar, OP had a shorter operative time and a lower cost compared to the very early experience of RAP. Future parallel prospective analysis will address the impact of the learning curve on these outcomes.

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Introduction: For different reasons, urology appears to be one of the least known specialties in medicine. In this study, the main objective was to measure the knowledge about urology in the general population. Methods:A questionnaire was completed by 150 respondents.Seventy-five respondents were from Sherbrooke, QC (a Frenchspeaking city) and 75 were from Burlington, VT (an Englishspeaking city). Results:Of the 150 respondents, 75% (113) said they knew little or nothing about urology and 63% (95) did not know that urology involves surgery. Also, when asked to name 3 diseases within the field of urology, 59% (89) of the respondents were unable to name at least 1 disease. Conclusion:This study demonstrates the lack of knowledge about urology in the general population. As urologists, we have to consider the need to conduct an informational campaign to increase the awareness of urology and the services urologists provide. Résultats : Sur les 150 répondants, 75 % (113) avouaient avoir des connaissances faibles ou nulles dans le domaine de l'urologie et 63 % (95) ignoraient que la chirurgie peut parfois être utilisée comme traitement urologique. En outre, lorsqu'on a demandé aux répondants de nommer 3 maladies traitées par un urologue, 59 % (89) des répondants étaient incapables de nommer seulement une maladie. Can UrolConclusion : L'étude illustre le manque de connaissances de la population générale dans le domaine de l'urologie. En tant qu'urologues, nous devons reconnaître la nécessité de mener une campagne d'information afin de sensibiliser la population au sujet de l'urologie et des services que nous offrons.

The developed 3D prostate vibroelastography system and the proposed multiparametric approach based on statistical texture parameters from the VE images result in a promising cancer detection method.

Objective: The objective was to report our experience on the implantation of the Prolift system since 2005. Methods: Fifty-six patients were operated on between July 2005 and August 2008 by 1 surgeon. The patients were implanted with the transvaginal mesh, the Prolift system, for the treatment of recurrent or high-grade (Baden-Walker stage III or IV) multiple compartment pelvic organ prolapse (POP) associated with symptoms. A concomitant anti-incontinence surgery was performed in 38 patients (68%). Results: The population had a mean age of 68 (range 46-88), a body mass index of 27 (range 21-40) and a parity average of 3 (range 1-16). Previous POP repair had been performed in 17 patients (30%) and a hysterectomy in 43 (77%). The operating room time was on average 98 minutes (range 70-135), blood loss 81 mL (range 50-300) and hospital stay 3 days (range 1-10). With a median follow-up of 21 months, we found that the cure rate for POP was 91% (48/53) and the reoperation rate was 8% (4/53). Perioperative complications included 1 rectal laceration and 1 prolonged bleeding. Short-term postoperative complications included 10 episodes of transient urinary retention that required immediate tape release in 4 patients. Long-term complications included 5 POP recurrences, 2 low grade and 3 high grade. Conclusion:The Prolift system appears to be a relatively safe and effective alternative to conventional surgeries for the treatment of recurrent or high-grade multiple compartment POP, because of a high mid-term cure rate and a satisfactory complication profile. However, long-term follow-up is still needed to confirm these results.

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The Prolift system appears to be a relatively safe and effective alternative to conventional surgeries for the treatment of recurrent or high-grade multiple compartment POP, because of a high mid-term cure rate and a satisfactory complication profile. However, long-term follow-up is still needed to confirm these results.

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