Kenji Zennami

BACKGROUND: Recently, various novel robotic systems have been put into clinical use. The aim of the present study was to assess the perioperative outcomes of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) using the Hugo™ RAS system, one of brand-new robot-assisted surgical platforms. METHODS: We performed RARP with the Hugo™ RAS system in 13 cases of localized prostate cancer (PCa) between August 2023 and February 2024 at our hospital. The perioperative outcomes of these 13 patients were assessed. RESULTS: The median operative and console times were 197 (interquartile range [IQR], 187-228) and 134 min (IQR, 125-157), respectively. The median docking time was 7 min (IQR, 6-10), and the median estimated blood loss was 150 mL (IQR, 80-250). The vesical catheter was removed on postoperative day 6 in all cases. A positive surgical margin was observed in one patient (7.7%), and none experienced major perioperative complications, defined as Clavien-Dindo classification ≥3. The median postoperative length of stay was 8 days (IQR, 8-8.5). CONCLUSIONS: This was the first study to focus on RARP using the Hugo™ RAS system in Japan. Although further investigations should be conducted to assess the long-term oncological and functional outcomes, the Hugo™ RAS system could provide safe and favorable perioperative outcomes for patients with localized PCa undergoing RARP.

OBJECTIVES: The optimal indication and survival benefits of prophylactic urethrectomy (PU) during radical cystectomy remain unclear. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the impact of urethra-preserving surgery (UPS) on oncological outcome including its recurrence patterns, and to establish an optimal urethral management strategy with a novel UPS technique in the robotic era. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 281 male patients with bladder cancer who received radical cystectomy (RC) (115 with and 166 without PU) at our institutions between 2010 and 2023. Subsequently, perioperative and oncological outcomes were assessed between propensity score-matched cohorts. RESULTS: Urethral recurrence (UR) occurred in 5 patients (5/166, 3.0%), all of whom underwent open-RC. Three among those (1.8%) with concomitant metastasis were died of cancer. There were no statistically significant differences between the PU and UPS groups in urethral-recurrence free survival (urethral-RFS) (P = .14), local-RFS (P = .59) and overall survival (OS) (P = .84) in the entire cohort. However, the UPS group showed significantly worse urethral-RFS (P = .008), local-RFS (P = .005) and OS (P = .03) in patients with high-risk of UR. Analysis of recurrence patterns revealed that UPS in high-risk patients significantly increased local recurrence (25.8% vs. 5.0%, P = .02). Conversely, a novel robotic-UPS technique demonstrated significantly favorable perioperative outcomes, comparable local-RFS (P = .79) and OS (P = .16) without UR (0/134, 0%) when compared to robotic-PU. Robotic-UPS also exhibited significantly better local-RFS (P =.007) and OS (P < .001) than open-UPS. CONCLUSIONS: UR-related death was rare and PU did not show a survival benefit for the entire cohort. However, inappropriate UPS in patients at high-risk of UR may increase local recurrence which might be responsible for poor survival after UPS rather than disease progression derived from UR. The robotic-UPS has the potential to reduce unnecessary PU, urethral and local recurrence without compromising survival.

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative Legionella pneumonia is very rare. CASE PRESENTATION: A 71-year-old male patient with prostate cancer (cT2bN0M0) underwent a robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy. On the 5th postoperative day, the patient developed chills and a fever of 39.2°C. Chest radiography revealed decreased permeability in the right middle lung field, leading to the diagnosis of postoperative pneumonia. Antimicrobial therapy was initiated immediately. Blood tests on postoperative day 10 revealed mild liver function abnormalities, electrolyte abnormalities, and a markedly elevated inflammatory response. Legionella pneumonia was suspected based on blood sample results and systemic symptoms, such as diarrhea and nausea. Furthermore, Legionella antigens were detected in the patient's urine, prompting further administration of levofloxacin. The patient's subsequent clinical course was favorable. CONCLUSION: When bacterial pneumonia fails to respond to antimicrobial therapy and systemic symptoms develop, atypical pneumonia, caused by pathogens such as Legionella pneumophila, should be considered even in cases of postoperative pneumonia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of robot-assisted radical cystectomy using an intracorporeal ileal conduit in older compared to younger patients. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 122 patients who underwent robot-assisted radical cystectomy with an intracorporeal ileal conduit at Fujita Health University Hospital and Fujita Health University Okazaki Medical Center between 2012 and 2022. Patients were categorized into two groups: older (age ≥ 75 years; n = 53) and younger (age < 75 years; n = 69). Perioperative outcomes, complications, recurrence-free survival, cancer-specific survival, and overall survival were compared between the cohorts. RESULTS: The groups had no significant differences in perioperative outcomes, such as estimated blood loss, operative time, and blood transfusion rate. However, hospital stay was longer in the older patients than in the younger group (19 vs. 16 days; p < 0.001). The 30-day minor and major complication rates were 33.3% and 13.0%, respectively, for the younger group and 50.9% and 9.4% for the older group (p = 0.11). Urinary tract infection and bowel ileus were the most common complications in both groups. No significant differences were observed in recurrence-free survival, cancer-specific survival, and overall survival between the groups (p = 0.58, p = 0.75, and p = 0.78), and subgroup analysis in ≥cT3 revealed the older group tended to have poorer cancer-specific survival and overall survival (p = 0.07 and p = 0.01). Multivariate analysis indicated that older age was not associated with high-grade complications and cancer-specific survival. CONCLUSIONS: Robot-assisted radical cystectomy with an intracorporeal ileal conduit is a safe and effective treatment option for older patients.