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At our institution and during the study period laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and retropubic radical prostatectomy provided comparable oncological efficacy. Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy was associated with less blood loss and a lower transfusion rate, and higher postoperative hospital visits and readmission rate. While the recovery of potency was equivalent, that of continence was superior after retropubic radical prostatectomy.

BackgroundRadical prostatectomy (RP) has been used as the main primary treatment for prostate cancer (PCa) for many years with excellent oncologic results. However, approximately 20-40% of those patients has failed to RP and presented biochemical recurrence (BCR). Prostatic specific antigen (PSA) has been the pivotal tool for recurrence diagnosis, but there is no consensus about the best PSA threshold to define BCR until this moment. The natural history of BCR after surgical procedure is highly variable, but it is important to distinguish biochemical and clinical recurrence and to find the correct timing to start multimodal treatment strategy. Also, it is important to understand the role of each clinical and pathological feature of prostate cancer in BCR, progression to metastatic disease and cancer specific mortality (CSM).Review designA simple review was made in Medline for articles written in English language about biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy.ObjectiveTo provide an updated assessment of BCR definition, its meaning, PCa natural history after BCR and the weight of each clinical/pathological feature and risk group classifications in BCR, metastatic disease and CSM.

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term efficacy of prostate cancer control and complication rates, in the elderly, after focal therapy with high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). Materials and Methods: Between June 1997 and March 2000, patients with localized prostate cancer were included into a focal therapy protocol. Inclusion criteria were: PSA ≤ 10 ng/mL, ≤ 3 positive biopsies with only 1 lobe involved, clinical stage ≤ T2a, Gleason score ≤ 7 (3+4), negative CT scan and bone scan. Hemi-ablation of the prostate was performed with the Ablatherm (R) device. Survival, complication rates and urinary continence were evaluated. Control biopsies were performed at 1 year. Treatment failure was defined as a positive biopsy or need for salvage therapy. Results: Twelve patients with a mean age 70 years were included. Median follow-up was 10 years. Control prostate biopsies were negative in 11/12 (91%) patients. Overall survival was 83% (10/12) and cancer specific survival was 100% at 10 years. Two patients died from other causes. Recurrence free survival was 90% (95% CI; 0.71-1) at 5 years, and 38% (95% CI; 0.04-0.73) at 10 years. Five patients had salvage therapy with repeat HIFU (n = 1) or hormonal therapy (n = 4) and all salvage patients were alive at 10 years. No patients developed lymph node or bone metastasis. No patients suffered from urinary incontinence. International Prostate Symptom Score was stable at 1 year. Complications included two urinary tract infections and one episode of acute urinary retention. Conclusions: Hemi-prostate ablation with HIFU can be safely performed in selected elderly patients with adequate longterm cancer control and low complication rates. Results from larger prospective studies using improved imaging techniques and extensive biopsy protocols are awaited.

The ELPC is a safe and feasible technique that appears to diminish the wound-related complications associated with the standard open approach.

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The human cadaver is an adequate model for LESS-RP, and LESS-RARP is feasible to be performed in the clinical arena. The synergy of robotic technology and LESS represents a new generation of surgery.

Anomalies of the urachal remnant are rare. Urachal cysts are usually asymptomatic, however, when they become infected, they can mimic a wide variety of intra-abdominal pathologies. We present two patients in which an urachal cyst was found. METHODS: Two male patients 25 and 38 years old respectively underwent laparoscopic resection of an urachal remnant. In one of the cases the urachal remnant was complicated by infection. Opportune clinical and radiologic diagnose was made in both cases and complete excision of the urachal remnant was carried out by laparoscopic means. RESULTS: The procedures were performed without complications and follow up showed excellent results. Both patients presented very short convalescence with rapid recovery. Resumen.-Las anomalías del remanente de uraco son raras. Los quistes de uraco son generalmente asintomáticos; sin embargo, cuando se infectan, pueden imitar una amplia variedad de patologías intraabdominales. Presentamos dos pacientes con quiste de uraco.