Rodrigo Gil Ugarteburu's research while affiliated with Hospital de Cabueñes, Gijon and other places

Efforts to use traditional native tissue strategies and reduce the use of meshes have been made in several countries. Combining native tissue repair with sufficient mesh applied apical repair might provide a means of effective treatment. The study group did perform and publish a randomized trial focusing on the combination of traditional native tissue repair with pectopexy or sacrocolpopexy and observed no severe or hitherto unknown risks for patients (Noé G.K. J Endourol 2015;29(2):210-5.). The short-term follow-up of this international multicenter study carried out now is presented in this article. Material and methods: Eleven clinics and 13 surgeons in four European counties participated in the trial. In order to ensure a standardized approach and obtain comparable data, all surgeons were obliged to follow a standardized approach for pectopexy, focusing on the area of fixation and the use of a prefabricated mesh (PVDF PRP 3 × 15 Dynamesh). The mesh was solely used for apical repair. All other clinically relevant defects were treated with native tissue repair. Colposuspension or TVT were used for the treatment of incontinence. Data were collected independently for 14 months on a secured server; 501 surgeries were registered and evaluated. Two hundred and sixty-four patients out of 479 (55.1%) returned for the physical examination and interview after 12-18 months. Main outcome and results: The mean duration of follow-up was 15 months. The overall success of apical repair was rated positively by 96.9%, and the satisfaction score was rated positively by 95.5%. A positive general recommendation was expressed by 95.1% of patients. Pelvic pressure was reduced in 95.2%, pain in 98.0%, and urgency in 86.0% of patients. No major complications, mesh exposure, or mesh complication occurred during the follow-up period. Conclusion: In clinical routine, pectopexy and concomitant surgery, mainly using native tissue approaches, resulted in high satisfaction rates and favorable clinical findings. The procedure may also be recommended for use by general urogynecological practitioners with experience in laparoscopy.

The technique of laparoscopic pectopexy was published in 2010. A subsequent randomized trial focused on pectopexy versus sacropexy revealed no new risks for patients and significant advantages in terms of operating time and de novo defecation disorders compared to sacrocolpopexy. The present international multicenter trial was performed to evaluate the applicability of the technique in clinical routine. Material and method: Eleven clinics and 13 surgeons in four European counties participated in the trial. To ensure a standardized approach and obtain comparable data, all surgeons followed the same rules in placing the apical tape, no further mesh was used. Data were collected for 14 months on a secured server; 501 surgeries were documented and evaluated. Results: Patients treated at the leading center (2 surgeons) contributed 44 % of the patient population. We made a distinction between high-volume (48-135 surgeries annually) (n = 4), intermediate-volume (28-37 surgeries annually) (n = 4), and low-volume (7-22 surgeries annually) (n = 5) surgeons. 97.3 % of the patients (n = 501) had delivered children; 5.6 % had had a Caesarian section. 29.7 % of the patients had undergone a hysterectomy. The operating time for pectopexy was less than 60 min in 79 % of cases. The procedures were completed in less than 159 min in 71 % of cases. Severe complications (n = 5) included four cases of organ damage (related to concomitant surgeries or adhesions) and one case of relevant bleeding. De novo incontinence was registered in two cases and voiding dysfunction in three. No intestinal obstruction or defecation disorder was observed. Two complicated infections were noted. Urinary infection occurred in 2 % of patients. Conclusion: In clinical routine severe complications occurred in 1 %. The latter were unrelated to pectopexy, but occurred due to concomitant procedures or adhesions. The overall operating time as well as the operating time for pectopexy were similar to those reported in published studies on sacrocolpopexy.

Objectives: We present a new surgery based on the round ligament anatomy that is called laparoscopic abdominopexy, which uses a synthetic mesh without fixation at any pelvic point. The aim of this study is to provide a step-by-step description of the laparoscopic abdominopexy technique and present the first anatomical and functional results of the procedure. Methods: This prospective cohort study included patients with apical and anterior vaginal prolapse who were subjected to laparoscopic abdominopexy. Before and after surgery, the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) scale, Overactive Bladder Questionnaire-Short Form (OABq-SF), and Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire (PISQ-12) were used to evaluate the vaginal prolapse stage, storage, and sexual symptoms, respectively. The surgical technique is described step by step. Results: Twenty patients were included with follow-up times between 6 and 25 months. The mean surgical time was 78.4 minutes. A statistically significant improvement was observed in the Aa (P ≤ 10-5), Ba (P ≤ 10-5), C (P = 5 × 10-5), D (P = .002) and tvl (P = .02) POP-Q points and in OABq-SF (22.2%; P = .02). Successful surgery was observed in 100% of patients for the apical compartment and 90% of patients for the anterior compartment. Conclusion: Laparoscopic abdominopexy is a quick, safe, and reproducible surgical technique with beneficial anatomical and functional results that preserve the pelvic floor anatomy.

Objective: Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma(RCC) may develop in different anatomical locationsand after a strict follow up within normal limits. We assessthe importance of close follow up in patients with historyof RCC through 3 clinical cases with unusual locations ofmetastatic RCC. Methods: We present 3 cases of metastatic involvementof pituitary, thyroid and mammary glands. We retrospectivelyreview our data base on metastatic RCC with 76patients. Discussion: There is not agreement about the time offollow up and image methods requested after surgery ofRCC. The reason is the development of late onset and atypicalplacement metastases. Conclusion: Metastatic disease of renal neoplasmscan occur at any time and at any location. It is importantto keep suspicion of metastatic renal disease in patients inthis background, even in those with good progress andregardless of the years that have passed since the initialdiagnosis.

Background The ureteral disinsertion with bladder cuff technique continues to evolve. We present the endoscopic laser transurethral technique combined with a transperitoneal and retroperitoneal laparoscopic approach in lateral decubitus, without patient repositioning, for treating urothelial carcinomas of the upper urinary tract. Materials and methods We present 3 laparoscopic nephroureterectomies: 1 transperitoneal and 2 retroperitoneal. Disinsertion was performed in lateral decubitus using a flexible cystoscope and a 365-μm holmium laser fiber. The endoscopic technique was progressively adapted to 3-port and single-port retroperitoneoscopic approaches. Before laparoscopic handling of the kidney, ureter was clamped below the tumor. The endoscopic technique was then started. Both approaches were simultaneously employed. Results Nephroureterectomies were achieved performing en bloc endoscopic disinsertion of the bladder cuff and ensuring a closed system comparable to open technique. The second case required reconversion due to technical problems and extension of the surgical time. No relapses were diagnosed during follow-up. Conclusion Results are comparable to open surgery, technique ensured compliance to oncology principles, enabled disinsertion in lateral decubitus and avoid patient repositioning saving surgical time. The results reflect the benefits of minimally invasive surgery in all cases.

Background: The ureteral disinsertion with bladder cuff technique continues to evolve. We present the endoscopic laser transurethral technique combined with a transperitoneal and retroperitoneal laparoscopic approach in lateral decubitus, without patient repositioning, for treating urothelial carcinomas of the upper urinary tract. Materials and methods: We present 3 laparoscopic nephroureterectomies: 1 transperitoneal and 2 retroperitoneal. Disinsertion was performed in lateral decubitus using a flexible cystoscope and a 365-μm holmium laser fiber. The endoscopic technique was progressively adapted to 3-port and single-port retroperitoneoscopic approaches. Before laparoscopic handling of the kidney, ureter was clamped below the tumour. The endoscopic technique was then started. Both approaches were simultaneously employed. Results: Nephroureterectomies were achieved performing en bloc endoscopic disinsertion of the bladder cuff and ensuring a closed system comparable to open technique. The second case required reconversion due to technical problems and extension of the surgical time. No relapses were diagnosed during follow-up. Conclusion: Results are comparable to open surgery, technique ensured compliance to oncology principles, enabled disinsertion in lateral decubitus and avoid patient repositioning saving surgical time. The results reflect the benefits of minimally invasive surgery in all cases.