Eric Kwon

We present the rapid implementation of a robot-assisted surgery program by one of the largest health maintenance organizations (HMOs) in the United States. A core group of 10 urologists were offered access to a new da Vinci S surgical system. A core group of five ancillary staff was assembled and trained at an Intuitive Surgical-designated training site. An experienced robotic surgeon acted as a proctor. Data regarding patient demographics, preoperative parameters, operative times, pathologic outcomes, and EPIC-26 quality-of-life questionnaires were collected prospectively and reviewed. All procedures were recorded on digital video disc as part of a quality assurance protocol. The core group reviewed complications monthly and received feedback on surgical techniques and pathologic outcomes. A total of 100 robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomies were performed from August to October 2008. The patient demographics, preoperative parameters, operative times, and pathologic outcomes of these first 100 procedures are outlined. We demonstrate the rapid implementation of an efficient multisurgeon HMO-based robot-assisted prostatectomy program with promising initial outcomes.

Extensive scrotal skin loss can pose a difficult management problem. In most cases delayed scrotal approximation is feasible due to the redundancy of scrotal skin. However, large defects usually require reconstruction using flaps or grafts. We present a novel technique of scrotal closure using rapid intraoperative tissue expansion to manage select extensive partial scrotal defects. Between January 1996 and April 2006, 3 patients underwent delayed closure using rapid intraoperative tissue expansion for approximately 75% scrotal skin loss. Intraoperatively the residual lateral scrotal and medial thigh skin, and subcutaneous tissues were dissected, creating bilateral cavities for the placement of round 300 cc tissue expanders. Gradual inflation for a total of 20 minutes allowed adequate tissue expansion of the 2 thigh flaps, enabling tension-free scrotal closure. Each patient was followed for 12 months. The resulting reconstruction provided a tension-free, cosmetically appealing scrotum with complete testicular coverage. There were no perioperative or postoperative complications. Although rapid intraoperative tissue expansion has been successfully used for the closure of facial and extremity defects, to our knowledge it has not been described for genital skin loss. Our experience suggests that this relatively simple method is a viable addition to the reconstructive armamentarium in a select group of patients with extensive scrotal skin defects that are not amenable to scrotal approximation alone.

Extensive scrotal skin loss can pose a difficult management problem. In most cases delayed scrotal approximation is feasible due to the redundancy of scrotal skin. However, large defects usually require reconstruction using flaps or grafts. We present a novel technique of scrotal closure using rapid intraoperative tissue expansion to manage select extensive partial scrotal defects. Between January 1996 and April 2006, 3 patients underwent delayed closure using rapid intraoperative tissue expansion for approximately 75% scrotal skin loss. Intraoperatively the residual lateral scrotal and medial thigh skin, and subcutaneous tissues were dissected, creating bilateral cavities for the placement of round 300 cc tissue expanders. Gradual inflation for a total of 20 minutes allowed adequate tissue expansion of the 2 thigh flaps, enabling tension-free scrotal closure. Each patient was followed for 12 months. The resulting reconstruction provided a tension-free, cosmetically appealing scrotum with complete testicular coverage. There were no perioperative or postoperative complications. Although rapid intraoperative tissue expansion has been successfully used for the closure of facial and extremity defects, to our knowledge it has not been described for genital skin loss. Our experience suggests that this relatively simple method is a viable addition to the reconstructive armamentarium in a select group of patients with extensive scrotal skin defects that are not amenable to scrotal approximation alone.

To evaluate the clinical outcome of patients undergoing partial nephrectomy (PN) for renal cortical tumours who had a positive surgical margin (SM), as recent studies have shown that a minimal SM is required to achieve equivalent disease-free survival (DFS). Between 1989 and 2005, 777 PNs were performed at the authors' institution. Clinical and pathology data were obtained from our prospective surgical database after obtaining institutional review board approval. Variables were analysed in a logistic regression model to determine predictors of positive SMs. The clinical outcome was reported for local recurrence and distant metastasis and analysed using the log-rank test. Of the 777 PNs, the SM status was documented in 770; the SMs were positive in 57 of 770 (7%). Positive SMs occurred in 33 of 423 (8%) patients with tumours of high malignant potential, and in 24 of 347 (7%) patients with tumours of low malignant potential. On multivariate analysis, an imperative indication for a PN was a significant predictor for a positive SM (P = 0.003). With a median follow-up for survivors of 22 months, there was a local recurrence in two of 57 (4%) patients with a positive SM and four of 713 (0.5%) with a negative SM. No patients with a tumour of low malignant potential had a recurrence, despite having a positive SM. Although local recurrence after PN for renal cortical tumours is rare, our data suggest that patients with a tumour of high malignant potential and a positive SM might have a higher incidence of local recurrence.