Abstract Introduction: We aimed to present our experience of robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RARP). Material and Methods: The study was a retrospective review of 500 patients who underwent RARP between March 2015 and July 2021 in our clinic. A transperitoneal approach was used in all patients. All patients had clinically organ-confined prostate cancer (≤ cT2c). Results: The mean age of the patients was 64.6 ± 5.7 years. The median PSA was 11.4 ng/dL (range 0.3-92.7). The mean operative time was 183.5 min. Positive surgical margin rate was 19.4%. During a mean follow-up of 23.5 months, 96 patients (19.2%) received adjuvant radiotherapy due to the biochemical recurrence and 28 patients (16%) with lymph node positivity received early adjuvant hormone therapy. Considering the continence rates, 69% of the patients were total continence in the 3rd month, while this rate increased to 83 in the 6th month and 91% in the 12th month. Conclusion: RARP is a safe and feasible method for experienced centers with patient comfort, surgeon comfort, and successful oncological and functional results.

Resumen Introducción: Nuestro objetivo fue presentar nuestra experiencia de prostatectomía radical laparoscópica asistida por robot (RARP). Material y métodos: El estudio fue una revisión retrospectiva de 500 pacientes que se sometieron a una (RARP) entre marzo de 2015 y julio de 2021 en nuestra clínica. En todos los pacientes se utilizó un abordaje transperitoneal. Todos los pacientes tenían cáncer de próstata limitado al órgano clínicamente (≤ cT2c). Resultados: La edad media de los pacientes fue de 64.6 ± 5.7 años. La mediana de PSA fue de 11.4 ng/dL (rango 0.3-92.7). El tiempo operatorio medio fue de 183.5 min. La tasa de márgenes quirúrgicos positivos fue del 19,4%. Durante un seguimiento medio de 23.5 meses, 96 pacientes (19.2%) recibieron radioterapia adyuvante debido a la recurrencia bioquímica y 28 pacientes (16%) con ganglios linfáticos positivos recibieron terapia hormonal adyuvante temprana. Considerando las tasas de continencia, el 69% de los pacientes tenían continencia total en el 3er mes, mientras que esa tasa aumentó a 83 en el 6° mes y 91% en el 12° mes. Conclusión: RARP es un método seguro y factible para centros experimentados con comodidad para el paciente, comodidad para el cirujano y resultados oncológicos y funcionales exitosos.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Increased angiogenetic activity in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been shown in previous studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endostatin levels with clinical features and mucosal expression in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional analytical study conducted in a tertiary-level public hospital. METHODS: Serum VEGF and endostatin levels were determined in 82 individuals: 39 with UC, 28 with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and 15 healthy controls (HCs), using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). VEGF and endostatin expressions were studied using immunohistochemistry (IHC). RESULTS: Mean serum VEGF and endostatin levels were significantly higher in patients with UC than in patients with IBS and in HCs (511.9 ± 377.5 pg/ml, 305.0 ± 121.42 pg/ml and 36.1 ± 40.6 pg/ml; P = 0.001 for VEGF; and 155.50 ± 59.8 ng/ml, 116.9 ± 23.8 ng/ml and 102.2 ± 22.4 ng/ml; P < 0.001 for endostatin, respectively). There was a positive correlation between serum VEGF and endostatin levels (r = 0.422; P < 0.01). Mean H-scores for VEGF expression were higher in the active UC group than in the inactive UC and IBS groups, in the stroma, endothelium and epithelium. Mean H-scores for endostatin expression were higher in the active UC group than in the inactive UC and IBS groups, in the stroma and endothelium. There was no endostatin expression in the epithelium. CONCLUSION: Increased endostatin appears to be a defensive reaction to increased VEGF in patients with UC.

ABSTRACT Objectives The aim of this prospective clinical study was to investigate variations in a novel oxidative stress marker (thiol/disulphide homeostasis) in men who underwent transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy (TRUSB). Materials and Methods A total of 22 men undergoing TRUSB of the prostate were enrolled in the study. Patients with abnormal digital rectal examination and/or total prostate specific antigen (PSA) over 4ng/mL underwent TRUSB with 12 cores. Serum samples were obtained before and just after the procedure to evaluate the possible changes in thiol/disulphide homeostasis. Mean age, total PSA and free PSA, prostate volume and histopathological data were also recorded. Results Mean age of the study population was 65.05±8.89 years. Significant decreases in native and total thiol levels were documented after the biopsy procedure. However, serum disulphide levels and disulphide/native thiol, disulphide/total thiol and native/total thiol ratios did not significantly change after TRUSB. No correlation was observed between oxidative parameters and total PSA and free PSA levels, prostate volume and histopathology of the prostate. However, mean patient age was significantly correlated with mean native and total thiol levels. Conclusion Significant decreases in serum native and total thiol levels related to the prostate biopsy procedure suggest that TRUSB causes acute oxidative stress in the human body. Since our trial is the first in the current literature to investigate these oxidative stress markers in urology practice, additional studies are warranted.