Pierluigi P Russo, Mariachiara M Sighinolfi, Sara S Mastrovito, Antonio A Cretì, Giovanni G Panico, Filippo F Marino, Simona S Presutti, Eros E Scarciglia, Francesco P Bizzarri, Domenico D Nigro, Carlo C Gandi, Mauro M Ragonese, Filippo F Gavi, Savio D Pandolfo, Angelo A Totaro, Emilio E Sacco, Nazario N Foschi, Bernardo B Rocco
{"title":"Using cumulative summation analysis for the learning curve of robotic docking time in radical prostatectomy with the HUGO RAS System.","authors":"Pierluigi P Russo, Mariachiara M Sighinolfi, Sara S Mastrovito, Antonio A Cretì, Giovanni G Panico, Filippo F Marino, Simona S Presutti, Eros E Scarciglia, Francesco P Bizzarri, Domenico D Nigro, Carlo C Gandi, Mauro M Ragonese, Filippo F Gavi, Savio D Pandolfo, Angelo A Totaro, Emilio E Sacco, Nazario N Foschi, Bernardo B Rocco","doi":"10.23736/S2724-6051.25.06389-X","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.23736/S2724-6051.25.06389-X","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Minimally invasive surgery like robotic surgery is known to yield better outcomes in terms of blood loss, blood transfusion, and length of stay, and robot-assisted radical prostatectomy provides a clear example compared to open surgery. It is still constrained by issues related to platform availability and cost-effectiveness. Introducing new robotic platforms, such as the HUGO<sup>™</sup> Robot-Assisted Surgery (RAS) System, could lead to longer operating times caused by the surgeon's learning curve, system configuration, adjustment of robotic devices, and robotic docking. Several studies have assessed the influence of resident physicians on outcomes in urological surgeries. Our main objective was to evaluate the learning curve of the docking time for 195 radical prostatectomies performed in our hospital. The results of our research indicate that the setup and docking process with the HUGO RAS system can be accomplished with ease, and the learning curve for robotic docking is consistent with the available data for other robotic platforms. Our training facilitated a rapid docking process and seamless completion of the surgery.</p>","PeriodicalId":53228,"journal":{"name":"Minerva Urology and Nephrology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145034375","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Breno C Porto, Artur S Almeida, Bruno D Terada, Felipe G Gonçalves, Carlo C Passerotti, Rodrigo A Sardenberg, Jose P Otoch, Jose A DA Cruz
{"title":"Uro-vaxom (OM-89) for chronic UTI prevention: an updated meta-analysis, meta-regression and trial sequential analysis of recent clinical evidence.","authors":"Breno C Porto, Artur S Almeida, Bruno D Terada, Felipe G Gonçalves, Carlo C Passerotti, Rodrigo A Sardenberg, Jose P Otoch, Jose A DA Cruz","doi":"10.23736/S2724-6051.25.06366-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.23736/S2724-6051.25.06366-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common health issue that affects patients' quality of life and healthcare systems. To reduce antibiotic use, non-antimicrobial treatments, such as Uro-Vaxom (OM-89), have been proposed to prevent UTI recurrence by enhancing immune response. Still, despite being available for many years, the evidence for its effectiveness remains unclear. This updated systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the efficacy of OM-89 in reducing UTI recurrence, increasing sample size compared to previous reviews.</p><p><strong>Evidence acquisition: </strong>A systematic review was conducted using MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, following the PRISMA guidelines. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing OM-89 with placebo in adult patients with a history of recurrent UTIs. Study selection and data extraction were performed by multiple reviewers, and a random-effects model was used for data pooling. Our primary outcome was the recurrence rate of symptomatic UTIs, while secondary endpoints included the rate of positive urine cultures at 3 and 6 months post-intervention. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool, and statistical analysis was conducted using RStudio software. Additionally, we performed a meta-regression incorporating all included studies for primary endpoint.</p><p><strong>Evidence synthesis: </strong>We retrieved eight RCTs, comprising 674 patients in the OM-89 group and 677 patients in the placebo group. Our analysis showed a lower rate of symptomatic UTIs in the intervention group (OR 0.48; 95% CI 0.23-0.97; P<0.01; I<sup>2</sup>=81%). Similarly, bacteriuria at both 3 and 6 months after treatment was less frequent in patients treated with OM-89 compared to placebo (OR 0.23; 95% CI 0.10-0.53; P=0.03) and (OR 0.45; 95% CI 0.23-0.89; P=0.02), respectively. Meta-regression revealed a trend suggesting that the effectiveness gap between OM-89 and placebo has decreased in more recent research.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Although initial meta-analysis results indicated that OM-89 was effective in reducing UTI recurrence, meta-regression reveals a decline in its efficacy in more recent studies. This decreasing effectiveness over time suggests that OM-89 may no longer be a reliable option for preventing recurrent UTIs.</p>","PeriodicalId":53228,"journal":{"name":"Minerva Urology and Nephrology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145034411","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Differences in efficacy and safety between HIF-PHIS and ESA/placebo in a sample of hemodialysis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Valeria Cernaro, Veronica Maressa, Guido Gembillo, Giulio Geraci, Chiara Casuscelli, Cristina Rossano, Domenico Santoro, Vincenzo Calabrese","doi":"10.23736/S2724-6051.25.06243-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.23736/S2724-6051.25.06243-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Treatment of anemia is one of the main goals of supportive care in patients on hemodialysis. In this context, the use of therapy with hypoxia inducible factor inhibitors (HIF-PHI) represents a further promising resource. The main objective is to evaluate the difference in hemoglobin levels after treatment with HIF-PHI compared to placebo/ESA.</p><p><strong>Evidence acquisition: </strong>We performed a systematic search in PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, and Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), looking for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Eligible studies considered hemodialysis patients older than 18 years with the diagnosis of anemia treated with HIF-PHIs. Protocol was previously published on PROSPERO (CRD42024589848).</p><p><strong>Evidence synthesis: </strong>Among a total of 126 references, 32 citations were selected by screening of titles and abstracts, for full-text evaluation, and 14 articles referring were included in the review after the screening for full-text articles. Data on hemoglobin differences were reported by all studies and the pooled analysis involving 3890 patients (2267 in the experimental group and 1623 in the control group), network metanalysis did not show significant differences in Delta Hemoglobin among any HIF-PHIs types and ESA/placebo. Similarly, no significant differences were found comparing HIF-PHIs to ESA Splitting (11 studies, N.=3611). However, a significant difference was found comparing HIF-PHIs to Placebo (MD=1.48, 95%CI: 1.15/1.81, P<0.001). The experimental and control groups differed for gastrointestinal adverse events, whereas there were no differences for any other adverse events.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The similar efficiency and safety between HIF-PHIs and ESA care could modify the usual clinical treatment of anemia in hemodialysis patients, and allow personalized therapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":53228,"journal":{"name":"Minerva Urology and Nephrology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145034341","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Giuseppe Cianciolo, Michele Provenzano, Lilio Hu, Simona Barbuto, Maria J Soler, Paola Ciceri, Mario Cozzolino, Gaetano LA Manna
{"title":"RAASi, MRA and FGF-23 in CKD progression: the usual suspects?","authors":"Giuseppe Cianciolo, Michele Provenzano, Lilio Hu, Simona Barbuto, Maria J Soler, Paola Ciceri, Mario Cozzolino, Gaetano LA Manna","doi":"10.23736/S2724-6051.25.06082-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.23736/S2724-6051.25.06082-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects almost 10% of the global population and is a significant health issue. The presence of CKD increases the risk of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events, overall mortality, and progression of renal damage leading to kidney failure. Inhibiting the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) through angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin II receptor blockers reduces proteinuria and slows eGFR decline in CKD patients. Several factors can reduce the effect of inhibition RAAS, such as individual variations, drug intolerance, and adverse effects like hyperkalemia. Moreover, the aldosterone breakthrough phenomenon, where aldosterone levels rebound during RAAS therapy, limits treatment efficacy in reducing proteinuria and slowing the progression of CKD and is associated with poor cardiovascular and renal outcomes. Similarly, FGF23 attenuates RAAS blockade effectiveness through, in fact, enhancing the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and reducing degradation of angiotensin I to angiotensin 1-9 and angiotensin II to angiotensin 1-7 inducing a reduced efficacy in controlling RAAS-mediated effects and an increase of cardiovascular risk and CKD progression. New therapeutic strategies to reduce the progression of CKD, such as SGLT-2 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), are recommended in CKD patients to reduce the risk of progression and cardiovascular events. Furthermore, these therapies may reduce FGF-23 levels and regulate aldosterone breakthrough. This review aims to clarify the mechanisms underlying CKD progression, with a focus on aldosterone breakthrough, FGF-23, and activins, in order to identify new therapeutic approaches for better management of CKD and its complications.</p>","PeriodicalId":53228,"journal":{"name":"Minerva Urology and Nephrology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145001942","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The efficacy and safety of intravesical platelet-rich plasma injections into the bladder for the treatment of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Hai-Rui Li, Ting Wang, Si-Hong Shen, Liao Peng","doi":"10.23736/S2724-6051.25.06232-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.23736/S2724-6051.25.06232-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome is a chronic bladder condition with a rising incidence that significantly impacts the lives of millions worldwide. The lack of understanding regarding the pathophysiology of this condition has resulted in a deficiency of effective treatment options. However, the development of regenerative medicine has brought platelet-rich plasma into our field of vision. Platelet-rich plasma may address unresolved inflammation in the interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome bladder and facilitate the restoration of bladder and urethral barrier function through repeated injections, potentially reducing bladder pain. Our aim is to investigate the efficacy and safety of intravesical injection of platelet rich plasma in the treatment of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome.</p><p><strong>Evidence acquisition: </strong>A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases for studies on platelet-rich plasma injection for the treatment of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome, with a search cutoff date of August 7, 2024.</p><p><strong>Evidence synthesis: </strong>A total of 11 studies with 391 participants were included. The combined statistics indicated that the baseline interstitial cystitis symptom index score was 11.20±4.60, the interstitial cystitis problem index score was 10.81±3.51, and the pain score was 4.37±3.14. The results showed that compared to pre-treatment, the interstitial cystitis symptom index score decreased by 3.56 (95% CI -4.39 to -2.72, P<0.00001), the interstitial cystitis problem index score decreased by 3.24 (95% CI -3.90 to -2.58, P<0.00001), and the pain score decreased by 1.84 (95% CI -2.19 to -1.48, P<0.00001). Additionally, the average proportion of patients with a global response assessment score of ≥2 after treatment was 48% (95% CI 0.37 to 0.58, P<0.00001). Furthermore, the overall incidence of adverse events among patients was 2.9%.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Evidence-based statistical analysis results suggest that intravesical platelet-rich plasma treatment is effective and safe, potentially serving as a promising approach for managing interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome.</p>","PeriodicalId":53228,"journal":{"name":"Minerva Urology and Nephrology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145001961","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Roberto Castellucci, Simone Morselli, Lorenzo Gatti, Giovanni Ferrari, Silvia Secco, Marcello Scarcia, Giuseppe M Ludovico, Lorenzo Spirito, Vincenzo Imperatore, Mirko Preto, Paolo Gontero, Francesco Persico, Paolo Fedelini, Francesco Trama, Giovanni Di Lauro, Danilo Dini, Ferdinando DE Marco, Luca Cindolo
Francesca Vedovo, Paolo Capogrosso, Serena Maruccia, Simonetta Fracalanza, Fabrizio Dal Moro, Giovanni Liguori
{"title":"Agreement between artificial intelligence, experts, and the European Association of Urology Guidelines: insights from a study on the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia.","authors":"Francesca Vedovo, Paolo Capogrosso, Serena Maruccia, Simonetta Fracalanza, Fabrizio Dal Moro, Giovanni Liguori","doi":"10.23736/S2724-6051.25.06609-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.23736/S2724-6051.25.06609-1","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":53228,"journal":{"name":"Minerva Urology and Nephrology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144796108","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Andrea Braga, Montserrat Espuña-Pons, Maurizio Serati
{"title":"Future study: when a trial could be confusing.","authors":"Andrea Braga, Montserrat Espuña-Pons, Maurizio Serati","doi":"10.23736/S2724-6051.25.06532-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.23736/S2724-6051.25.06532-2","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":53228,"journal":{"name":"Minerva Urology and Nephrology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144785916","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ruben Olivares, Jihad Kaouk, Nicolas A Soputro, Christopher J Weight, Georges-Pascal Haber, Waleed Hassan
{"title":"First-in-human transcontinental telesurgery collaboration for high intensity-focused ultrasound: a new era in globalizing focal treatment for prostate cancer.","authors":"Ruben Olivares, Jihad Kaouk, Nicolas A Soputro, Christopher J Weight, Georges-Pascal Haber, Waleed Hassan","doi":"10.23736/S2724-6051.25.06506-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.23736/S2724-6051.25.06506-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The advent of telesurgery has opened a new frontier within minimally invasive surgery, allowing surgeons to complete procedures from a remote location and providing new opportunities for the delivery of care. Herein, we present the first clinical experience of telesurgery using high intensity-focused ultrasound (HIFU) for focal treatment of prostate cancer. The procedure was performed using the Focal One<sup>®</sup> device (Focal One, Austin, TX, USA) on a 72-year-old with an ISUP Grade Group 2 prostate cancer from a single biopsy core that corresponds to a PIRADS 4 lesion in the left mid-apical region. A secure remote connection was established using the Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) infrastructure between the purpose-built virtual desktop for the console surgeon in Cleveland (OH, USA) and the operating room in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), spanning a total distance of 11,412 km (7091 miles). A total volume of 26.4 cm<sup>3</sup> was ablated within 50 minutes of ablation time. Intraoperative blood loss was minimal, and there was no evidence of perioperative complications. With the total round-trip latency of 115 milliseconds, there remained no perceptible disruptions that were noted during the procedure. Notably, this collaborative effort marked a significant milestone that underscored the safety and feasibility of HIFU telesurgery for the management of localized, clinically significant prostate cancer. This remote surgery model using an already established network infrastructure, offers significant promise for expanding access to specialized, high-quality medical care, particularly in underserved regions.</p>","PeriodicalId":53228,"journal":{"name":"Minerva Urology and Nephrology","volume":"77 4","pages":"561-565"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144978155","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Francesco DI Bello, Gianluigi Califano, Claudia Collà Ruvolo, Simone Morra, Agostino Fraia, Edoardo Mocini, Benedetta Muzii, Luigi Napolitano, Massimiliano Creta, Giovanni Salzano, Luigi A Vaira, Francesco Mangiapia, Nelson M Maldonato, Elena Cantone, Nicola Longo
{"title":"Erectile dysfunction and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: a post-hoc evaluation of Italian survey results.","authors":"Francesco DI Bello, Gianluigi Califano, Claudia Collà Ruvolo, Simone Morra, Agostino Fraia, Edoardo Mocini, Benedetta Muzii, Luigi Napolitano, Massimiliano Creta, Giovanni Salzano, Luigi A Vaira, Francesco Mangiapia, Nelson M Maldonato, Elena Cantone, Nicola Longo","doi":"10.23736/S2724-6051.24.05925-1","DOIUrl":"10.23736/S2724-6051.24.05925-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The aim of the current study was to identify predictors of erectile dysfunction (ED) and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in male participants at Italian web-survey.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional web-based survey was administered via Google Forms between July 17 and October 31, 2022, among Italian participants. The erectile function and the excessive daytime sleepiness were measured through the International Index of Erectile Function - 5 (IIEF5) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), respectively. Two separate and independent multivariable logistic regression models (mLRMs) were fitted to predict ED and OSAS, respectively, in men answering to the survey.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 238 patients were identified. Of those, 58 (24%) reported to be affected by OSAS disease. Higher proportion of mild (21 vs. 6%), mild-to-moderate (9 vs. 5%), and severe (16 vs. 7%) ED were recorded in OSAS vs. non-OSAS patients (P<0.001). In mLRMs predicting ED (IIEF5≤7), age (OR: 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-1.06; P=0.002), and IPSS total score (OR:1.08, 95% CI: 1.02-1.15; P=0.006) were independent predictors. In mLRMs predicting OSAS, age (OR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.05-1.12; P<0.001), Body Mass Index (BMI; OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.05-1.21; P<0.001), and ESS score (OR:1.14, 95% CI: 1.05-1.24; P=0.001) were independent predictors. In the subgroup analyses predicting severe ED, ESS and age or BMI or IPSS resulted as independent predictors (OR from 0.7 to 0.8; all P<0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The ESS score independently predicted severe ED in males. As a result, the OSAS disease should be explored in patients who harbored severe ED to address those patients for a prompt ear, nose and throat evaluation.</p>","PeriodicalId":53228,"journal":{"name":"Minerva Urology and Nephrology","volume":" ","pages":"538-545"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143190311","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}