Cockerill, Patrick

Abstract Objectives: Hemostatic clip migration into the lower urinary tract is a potential complication of radical prostatectomy that may cause symptoms, anxiety, and functional concern. Our objective was to evaluate initial presentation, endoscopic management, and outcomes of patients with hemostatic clip migration following radical prostatectomy. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively identified all patients with hemostatic clip migration at our institution from 1977 to 2012. Patient records were then reviewed to identify causative factors, presentation, and long-term functional outcomes. Results: Seventeen patients were identified with clip migration following radical prostatectomy. Eight (47%) patients had undergone open retropubic radical prostatectomy, and 9 (53%) had received robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. Hemostatic clip migration was diagnosed at a median of 8 (range, 1–252) months after prostatectomy. The majority of patients ( n = 16, 94%) were symptomatic upon the diagnosis of clip migration. Symptoms included irritative urinary symptoms ( n = 14, 82%), perineal pain ( n = 3, 18%), hematuria ( n = 2, 12%), and infection ( n = 2, 12%). Five (29%) had concomitant bladder neck contracture. Fifteen (88%) underwent successful endoscopic clip removal, whereas 2 (13%) patients required a repeat operation for recurrent clip erosion. With a median follow-up of 1.6 years, the majority ( n = 13, 87%) had complete symptom resolution after clip removal, although 2 patients had recurrent bladder neck contracture. Conclusions: Hemostatic clip migration after prostatectomy is often symptomatic with irritative voiding complaints, perineal pain, hematuria, infection, or bladder neck contracture. Fortunately, clips can be removed endoscopically with expected symptom resolution in the vast majority of patients.

Objectives To evaluate oncological outcomes after combination intravesical therapy with gemcitabine ( GC ) and mitomycin C ( MMC ) in the setting of recurrent non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer ( NMIBC ) after failure of previous intravesical therapy. Patients and Methods We retrospectively identified patients with recurrent NMIBC after previous intravesical therapy, who refused or were not candidates for cystectomy, between 2005 and 2011. GC and MMC were sequentially instilled weekly for 6–8 weeks. Data were collected regarding patient demographics, bladder cancer history, and number and type of intravesical therapies before GC / MMC . Outcomes evaluated included time to recurrence and/or progression after GC / MMC . Recurrence‐free outcomes were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method, and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to test the association of clinicopathological features with outcomes. Results In all, 27 patients were identified, 23 with high‐risk disease (high‐grade or carcinoma in situ ) and four with intermediate‐risk disease (multifocal or recurrent low‐grade). All patients received prior intravesical therapy, and 17 patients (63%) received multiple courses. Twenty‐four patients were treated with BCG . The median (range) disease‐free survival of all patients was 15.2 (1.7–39.3) months. Seventeen patients (63%) developed recurrent bladder cancer, a median of 15.2 months after therapy. One patient progressed to muscle‐invasive disease 5 months after treatment, and one developed metastatic disease 22 months after treatment. Three patients went on to cystectomy. Ten patients (37%) had no evidence of disease at last follow‐up, with a median follow‐up of 22.1 months. Conclusion The combination of intravesical GC and MMC could offer durable recurrence‐free survival to some patients with recurrent NMIBC who are not candidates for, or refuse, cystectomy.