Junya Furukawa and 藤澤 正人 : Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy with the hinotori surgical robot system, 日本臨床社, 東京都, Jan. 2024.
Academic Paper (Judged Full Paper):
1.
Yutaro Sasaki, Kyotaro Fukuta, Tetsuhiro Yano, Mitsuki Nishiyama, Saki Kobayashi, Ryoei Minato, Kei Daizumoto, Ryotaro Tomida, Yoshito Kusuhara, Tomoya Fukawa, Kunihisa Yamaguchi, Yasuyo Yamamoto and Junya Furukawa : Vas Guide: a novel device for looping blood vessels in robot-assisted surgery., Surgical Endoscopy, 2025.
(Summary)
Looping blood vessels in robot-assisted surgery remains challenging because of limitations in instrument articulation, joint length, and the lack of tactile feedback. To address this critical issue, we developed the Vas Guide, a novel device, for safe blood vessel handling. This study aims to establish the efficacy, safety, and durability of the Vas Guide.The Vas Guide is a flat, curved stainless-steel strip with blunt, rounded ends and a hole near the distal end. After sufficient dissection of the posterior surface of the target blood vessel, the Vas Guide with a vessel loop tied to the distal end was passed around the blood vessel in a single step using a suturing-like motion, thereby enabling secure vessel management. It is reusable and has a unit price of approximately $600. We analyzed 83 patients undergoing robot-assisted partial nephrectomy or nephroureterectomy at Tokushima University Hospital: 39 in the Vas Guide group and 44 in the conventional group. Outcomes including looping time, looping-related complication rates, such as collisions between instruments and bleeding, and additional instrument usage were recorded. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration task load index (NASA-TLX) scores were assessed.The patients' characteristics were comparable between the two groups. The Vas Guide group demonstrated significantly better outcomes, including faster looping times (31 vs. 90 s, p < 0.001), fewer looping-related complications (0% vs. 30%, p < 0.001), no additional instrument usage (0% vs. 50%, p < 0.001), and better NASA-TLX scores (26.5 vs. 75.7, p < 0.001). The Vas Guide showed no usability issues, with only minor surface scratches and a slight radius change (8.60 mm to 8.69 mm).This reusable device combines high efficacy, safety, and durability and can be implemented at a relatively low cost.
Effectiveness and safety of second-line tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) for whom first-line immuno-oncology (I-O) combination therapy was discontinued because of adverse events (AEs) remain to be determined. Clinicopathological data were retrospectively collected from 34 institutions between August 2018 and January 2022 for 243 patients with mRCC who received second-line TKIs after first-line I-O combination therapy. Two patients who requested discontinuation of first-line I-O combination therapy were excluded. Oncological outcomes and safety were compared between patients who discontinued first-line I-O combination therapy because of progressive disease (Group PD) and AEs (Group AE). First- and second-line overall survival (OS) were defined as the time from the start of first- and second-line therapy to death, respectively. Propensity score matching was applied to adjust prognostic factors between the 2 groups. There were 179 patients in Group PD and 62 patients in Group AE. Objective response rate and disease control rate were similar between the 2 groups. Progression-free survival (PFS), second-line OS, and first-line OS were significantly longer in Group AE than in Group PD (median 13.6 months vs. 8.5 months, P = 0.005; median not reached [NR] vs. 19.5 months, P = .005; median NR vs. 30.8 months, P = .012, respectively). After propensity score matching, PFS and second-line OS were still significantly longer and first-line OS tended to be longer in Group AE than in Group PD. There were no significant differences in the occurrence of AEs of any grade, including severe grades of 3 or greater, between the 2 groups. Second-line TKIs are safe and at least as effective in patients with mRCC who discontinued first-line I-O combination therapy because of AEs as they are in patients who discontinued because of PD.
Yoshihiko Tasaki, Shuzo Hamamoto, Shimpei Yamashita, Junya Furukawa, Kazutoshi Fujita, Ryotaro Tomida, Makito Miyake, Noriyuki Ito, Hideto Iwamoto, Yoshihisa Mimura, Yosuke Sugiyama, Rei Unno, Atsushi Okada, Takahiro Yasui and Yoko Furukawa-Hibi : Eosinophil is a predictor of severe immune-related adverse events induced by ipilimumab plus nivolumab therapy in patients with renal cell carcinoma: a retrospective multicenter cohort study., Frontiers in Immunology, 15, 1483956, 2025.
(Summary)
Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) induced by immune checkpoint inhibitors are difficult to predict and can lead to severe events. Although it is important to develop strategies for the early detection of severe irAEs, there is a lack of evidence on irAEs associated with ipilimumab plus nivolumab therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between eosinophil and severe irAEs in patients receiving ipilimumab plus nivolumab therapy for RCC. In this retrospective study, 161 patients receiving ipilimumab plus nivolumab therapy for RCC were divided into three groups based on whether they experienced <grade 2 irAEs (non-severe irAE group), grade 3 irAEs (severe irAE group), or not (non-irAE group). We examined the proportion of eosinophils before and 2 weeks after treatment (baseline and 2-week samples, respectively). Although the eosinophil in the baseline samples did not differ between the severe irAE and non-irAE groups (2.8% vs. 2.5%, P = 0.75), regarding the 2-week samples, the eosinophil was significantly higher in the severe irAE group (mean, 6.6% vs. 3.3%; P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that an eosinophil of 3.0% was a risk factor for severe irAEs (odds ratio, 6.01). Median progression-free survival (mPFS), mPFS from the start of ipilimumab plus nivolumab therapy to second-line therapy (mPFS2), and median overall survival (mOS) were the shortest in the non-irAE group. Although the mPFS did not differ between the severe and non-severe irAE groups (9.2 vs 14.2 months, P = 0.45), notably, mPFS2 and mOS in the former group tended to be shorter than those in the latter group (mPFS2: 29.2 vs not reached, P = 0.10; mOS: 36.9 vs 52.3 months, P = 0.06). An increased eosinophil 2 weeks after ipilimumab plus nivolumab therapy may be a predictor of severe irAEs, which are associated with poor prognoses, compared with non-severe irAEs among patients with RCC. We provide a novel rationale for the importance of monitoring eosinophil counts for the early detection of severe irAEs.
Yutaro Sasaki, Yasuyo Yamamoto, Kyotaro Fukuta, Kazuyoshi Izumi, Fumiya Kadoriku, Kei Daizumoto, Keito Shiozaki, Ryotaro Tomida, Yoshito Kusuhara, Tomoya Fukawa, Yutaka Yanagihara, Kunihisa Yamaguchi, Hirofumi Izaki, Masayuki Takahashi, Kenjiro Okamoto, Masahito Yamanaka and Junya Furukawa : Cutaneous ureterostomy following robot-assisted radical cystectomy: a multicenter comparative study of transperitoneal versus retroperitoneal techniques., World Journal of Urology, 42, 1, 2024.
(Summary)
Compared with r-CUS, t-CUS was associated with a shorter operative time and lower incidence of perioperative complications, including gastrointestinal complications. We believe that t-CUS can be performed safely and effectively.
Yutaro Sasaki, Narushi Yokota, Shuhei Nozaki, Satoshi Harada, Tetsuhiro Yano, Mitsuki Nishiyama, Saki Kobayashi, Ryoei Minato, Kei Daizumoto, Ryotaro Tomida, Yoshito Kusuhara, Tomoya Fukawa, Kunihisa Yamaguchi, Yasuyo Yamamoto, Masayuki Takahashi, Kazuya Kanda, Hiroomi Kanayama and Junya Furukawa : Robot-assisted nephroureterectomy using the GelPoint Platform with a focus on optimizing the port position and specimen retrieval., Asian Journal of Endoscopic Surgery, 17, 4, e13386, 2024.
(Summary)
One of the factors that makes robot-assisted nephroureterectomy difficult is that the optimal port position differs between nephrectomy and bladder cuff excision. In addition, how best to retrieve the specimen after resection while minimizing the size of the wound is a challenge in robot-assisted surgery. To solve these problems, we designed a surgical technique for robot-assisted nephroureterectomy using the GelPoint Platform with a focus on port position optimization and specimen retrieval. This study describes the surgical technique of GelPoint robot-assisted nephroureterectomy and reports our initial experience with this technique. Between January 2023 and May 2024, seven patients underwent robot-assisted nephroureterectomy using the GelPoint Platform and 11 underwent conventional robot-assisted nephroureterectomy. We compared the patients' characteristics and surgical outcomes between the two groups. Compared with the conventional robot-assisted nephroureterectomy group, the median operative time tended to be shorter in the GelPoint robot-assisted nephroureterectomy group (280 vs. 357 min, respectively; p = .135). The maximum incision length tended to be longer in the GelPoint robot-assisted nephroureterectomy group (7.0 vs. 6.0 cm, respectively; p = .078). The incidence of 30-day complications was similar between the two groups (28.5% vs. 18.2%, respectively; p = 1.000). No complications were associated with the use of the GelPoint Platform. The surgical outcomes of GelPoint robot-assisted nephroureterectomy are comparable to those of conventional robot-assisted nephroureterectomy, and it can be performed safely and effectively. GelPoint robot-assisted nephroureterectomy can be considered a feasible alternative for selected patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma.
Yutaro Sasaki, Kyotaro Fukuta, Fumiya Kadoriku, Kei Daizumoto, Keito Shiozaki, Ryotaro Tomida, Yoshito Kusuhara, Tomoya Fukawa, Yutaka Yanagihara, Ryoichi Nakanishi, Kunihisa Yamaguchi, Yasuyo Yamamoto, Hirofumi Izaki, Masayuki Takahashi, Kenjiro Okamoto and Junya Furukawa : Retroperitoneal cutaneous ureterostomy following radical cystectomy: A multicenter comparative study of robotic versus open surgery., International Journal of Urology, 31, 12, 1408-1413, 2024.
(Summary)
The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in perioperative outcomes of cutaneous ureterostomy (CUS) between open surgery (open radical cystectomy, ORC) and robot-assisted surgery (robot-assisted radical cystectomy, RARC), including the stent-free rate, readmission rates due to urinary tract infection (UTI), and changes in renal function. Between 2005 and 2023, a total of 37 patients underwent CUS following ORC, while 24 patients underwent CUS following RARC. Perioperative outcomes were compared between these two groups. The patients in the RARC group were significantly older (p = 0.007) and had a significantly higher proportion of high-risk cases with ASA-PS 3 (p = 0.002). In addition, RARC was associated with a significantly lower estimated blood loss (p < 0.001) and a reduced transfusion rate (p = 0.003). Postoperative complication rates and the stent-free rate were comparable between the ORC and RARC groups. Throughout a median follow-up period of 2.6 years, rates of readmission due to UTI did not differ significantly between the two groups. Moreover, there were no differences in the change in estimated glomerular filtration rate before and after surgery and the 3-year survival rates were similar across both groups. CUS following RARC appears to offer a safer alternative compared with CUS following ORC, and the stent-free rates are comparable. The significantly lower estimated blood loss and transfusion rate associated with RARC are particularly favorable for elderly patients, those who are frail, and individuals with multiple comorbidities.
Shuzo Hamamoto, Yoshihiko Tasaki, Shimpei Yamashita, Junya Furukawa, Kazutoshi Fujita, Ryotaro Tomida, Makito Miyake, Noriyuki Ito, Hideto Iwamoto, Yosuke Sugiyama, Kazumi Taguchi and Takahiro Yasui : External validation of hemoglobin and neutrophil levels as predictors of the effectiveness of ipilimumab plus nivolumab for treating renal cell carcinoma., Frontiers in Oncology, 14, 1400041, 2024.
(Summary)
Pretreatment hemoglobin and neutrophil levels were previously reported to be important indicators for predicting the effectiveness of ipilimumab plus nivolumab (IPI + NIVO) therapy for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Therefore, we aimed to validate this in a large external cohort. In total, 172 patients with RCC who underwent IPI + NIVO treatment at a multicenter setting were divided into three groups according to their pretreatment hemoglobin and neutrophil levels (group 1: non-anemia; group 2: anemia and low-neutrophil; and group 3: anemia and high-neutrophil). Group 1 showed better survival than groups 2 and 3 (overall survival: 52.3 vs. 21.4 vs. 9.4 months, respectively; progression-free survival: 12.1 vs. 7.0 vs. 3.4 months, respectively). In this large cohort, we validated our earlier observation that hemoglobin and neutrophil levels can be reliable predictors of the effectiveness of IPI + NIVO in advanced RCC. Thus, our approach may aid in selecting the optimal first-line therapy for RCC.
Kyotaro Fukuta, Tomoya Fukawa, Saki Kobayashi, Keito Shiozaki, Yutaro Sasaki, Kosuke Seto, Ryoichi Nakanishi, Hirofumi Izaki, Masayuki Takahashi, Kazuya Kanda, Hiro-omi Kanayama and Junya Furukawa : Efficacy of educational stepwise robot-assisted radical prostatectomy procedure for urology residents., Asian Journal of Endoscopic Surgery, 17, 3, e13334, 2024.
(Summary)
To evaluate the effectiveness of an educational stepwise robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) procedure for urology residents. We performed a detailed evaluation of 42 RARP procedures performed by a single urology resident from July 2019 to February 2022. The RARP procedures were divided into the following nine steps: (1) bladder dissection, (2) endopelvic fascia dissection, (3) bladder neck dissection, (4) seminal vesicle dissection, (5) Denonvilliers' fascia dissection, (6) dorsal vascular complex ligation, (7) dissection of the prostatic apex, (8) posterior anastomosis, and (9) urethro-vesical anastomosis. The procedures were further subcategorized as anatomical understanding, spatial recognition, and technical skills for evaluation of resident training. The surgeries were divided into first and second halves, and patient characteristics and operative outcomes were statistically analyzed. The operative time of each of the nine steps and the reasons for proctor intervention were compared. Among 42 patients, there were no significant differences in operative outcomes between the two groups. The median operative time was 169 min (164 vs. 179 min, p = .12), and the median console time was 128 min (127 vs. 130 min, p = .74). Although there were no significant differences in the time of the nine steps, the resident significantly overcame (7) dissection of the prostatic apex and (8) posterior anastomosis based on the evaluation of the proctored reasons for intervention. Urology residents can safely perform and efficiently learn RARP with this stepwise educational system. This educational stepwise RARP procedure can effectively help residents to develop their skills.
Yutaro Sasaki, Yoshito Kusuhara, Takuro Oyama, Mitsuki Nishiyama, Saki Kobayashi, Kei Daizumoto, Ryotaro Tomida, Yoshiteru Ueno, Tomoya Fukawa, Kunihisa Yamaguchi, Yasuyo Yamamoto, Masayuki Takahashi, Hiroomi Kanayama and Junya Furukawa : Radical prostatectomy using the Hinotori robot-assisted surgical system: Docking-free design may contribute to reduction in postoperative pain., The International Journal of Medical Robotics + Computer Assisted Surgery : MRCAS, 20, 3, e2648, 2024.
(Summary)
The docking-free design of the Japanese Hinotori surgical robotic system allows the robotic arm to avoid trocar grasping, thereby minimising excessive abdominal wall stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) using the Hinotori system and to explore the potential contribution of its docking-free design to postoperative pain reduction. This study reviewed the clinical records of 94 patients who underwent RARP: 48 patients in the Hinotori group and 46 in the da Vinci Xi group. Hinotori group had significantly longer operative and console times (p = 0.030 and p = 0.029, respectively). Perioperative complications and oncologic outcomes did not differ between the two groups. On postoperative day 4, the rate of decline from the maximum visual analogue scale score was marginally significant in the Hinotori group (p = 0.062). The docking-free design may contribute to reducing postoperative pain.
Yutaro Sasaki, Yoshito Kusuhara, Takuro Oyama, Mitsuki Nishiyama, Saki Kobayashi, Kei Daizumoto, Ryotaro Tomida, Yoshiteru Ueno, Tomoya Fukawa, Kunihisa Yamaguchi, Yasuyo Yamamoto, Masayuki Takahashi, Hiroomi Kanayama and Junya Furukawa : Radical prostatectomy using the Hinotori robot-assisted surgical system: Docking-free design may contribute to reduction in postoperative pain., The International Journal of Medical Robotics + Computer Assisted Surgery : MRCAS, 20, 3, e2648, 2024.
(Summary)
The docking-free design of the Japanese Hinotori surgical robotic system allows the robotic arm to avoid trocar grasping, thereby minimising excessive abdominal wall stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) using the Hinotori system and to explore the potential contribution of its docking-free design to postoperative pain reduction. This study reviewed the clinical records of 94 patients who underwent RARP: 48 patients in the Hinotori group and 46 in the da Vinci Xi group. Hinotori group had significantly longer operative and console times (p = 0.030 and p = 0.029, respectively). Perioperative complications and oncologic outcomes did not differ between the two groups. On postoperative day 4, the rate of decline from the maximum visual analogue scale score was marginally significant in the Hinotori group (p = 0.062). The docking-free design may contribute to reducing postoperative pain.
Yutaro Sasaki, Masayuki Takahashi, Mitsuki Nishiyama, Saki Kobayashi, Yoshiteru Ueno, Junya Furukawa and Kenji Shimada : A novel treatment strategy for bladder hypoplasia: A case of megaureter in a functional solitary kidney., IJU Case Reports, 7, 3, 243-246, 2024.
(Summary)
We report a case of megaureter in a functional solitary kidney in which surgery was performed after bladder capacity was increased by home bladder cycling. A 6-day-old girl with a left megaureter, a right multicystic dysplastic kidney, and bladder hypoplasia underwent percutaneous left nephrostomy for obstructive renal failure. At 8 months, home bladder cycling was initiated to increase bladder capacity before the planned ureterocystoneostomy. Surgery was performed after bladder capacity increased. The left ureter was compressed by the left umbilical ligament, so ureteral end-to-end anastomosis was performed at 1 year and 4 months. At 2 years and 8 months, cystometry showed age-appropriate bladder capacity and improved bladder compliance. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of bladder hypoplasia treated by home bladder cycling.
Fumiya Kadoriku, Yutaro Sasaki, Kyotaro Fukuta, Mitsuki Nishiyama, Seiya Utsunomiya, Saki Kobayashi, Keito Shiozaki, Kei Daizumoto, Yoshiteru Ueno, Kosuke Seto, Ryotaro Tomida, Yoshito Kusuhara, Tomoya Fukawa, Ryoichi Nakanishi, Kunihisa Yamaguchi, Yasuyo Yamamoto, Hirofumi Izaki, Masayuki Takahashi and Junya Furukawa : Robot-assisted intracorporeal ileal conduit urinary diversion: A two-center comparative study of Bricker versus Wallace ureteroileal anastomosis, Asian Journal of Endoscopic Surgery, 17, 2, e13307, 2024.
(Summary)
This study was performed to evaluate the differences in the perioperative results, renal function, and incidence of hydronephrosis over time between the use of Bricker anastomosis and Wallace anastomosis for robot-assisted intracorporeal ileal conduit urinary diversion (RICIC). Fifty-five patients who underwent RICIC at two institutions were evaluated (Bricker, n = 23; Wallace, n = 32). We investigated changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate and hydronephrosis before surgery and at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. The patients in the Bricker group were significantly older than those in the Wallace group. The urinary diversion time was significantly longer in the Bricker group. No significant difference in postoperative renal function was observed. Additionally, no significant difference was observed in the incidence of postoperative hydronephrosis. However, the incidence of right hydronephrosis tended to be high overall, especially in the Wallace group. No patients in either group required repair surgery or ureteral stent placement. In patients undergoing RICIC, there was no difference in postoperative renal function or the incidence of hydronephrosis between Wallace and Bricker anastomosis. Symptomatic hydronephrosis was not observed in either group. The present study showed that each method was equally effective and safe.
Fumiya Kadoriku, Yutaro Sasaki, Kyotaro Fukuta, Mitsuki Nishiyama, Seiya Utsunomiya, Saki Kobayashi, Keito Shiozaki, Kei Daizumoto, Yoshiteru Ueno, Kosuke Seto, Ryotaro Tomida, Yoshito Kusuhara, Tomoya Fukawa, Ryoichi Nakanishi, Kunihisa Yamaguchi, Yasuyo Yamamoto, Hirofumi Izaki, Masayuki Takahashi and Junya Furukawa : Robot-assisted intracorporeal ileal conduit urinary diversion: A two-center comparative study of Bricker versus Wallace ureteroileal anastomosis, Asian Journal of Endoscopic Surgery, 17, 2, e13307, 2024.
(Summary)
This study was performed to evaluate the differences in the perioperative results, renal function, and incidence of hydronephrosis over time between the use of Bricker anastomosis and Wallace anastomosis for robot-assisted intracorporeal ileal conduit urinary diversion (RICIC). Fifty-five patients who underwent RICIC at two institutions were evaluated (Bricker, n = 23; Wallace, n = 32). We investigated changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate and hydronephrosis before surgery and at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. The patients in the Bricker group were significantly older than those in the Wallace group. The urinary diversion time was significantly longer in the Bricker group. No significant difference in postoperative renal function was observed. Additionally, no significant difference was observed in the incidence of postoperative hydronephrosis. However, the incidence of right hydronephrosis tended to be high overall, especially in the Wallace group. No patients in either group required repair surgery or ureteral stent placement. In patients undergoing RICIC, there was no difference in postoperative renal function or the incidence of hydronephrosis between Wallace and Bricker anastomosis. Symptomatic hydronephrosis was not observed in either group. The present study showed that each method was equally effective and safe.
Yutaro Sasaki, Kazuyoshi Izumi, Kyotaro Fukuta, Fumiya Kadoriku, Yuichiro Atagi, Kei Daizumoto, Keito Shiozaki, Ryotaro Tomida, Yoshito Kusuhara, Tomoya Fukawa, Yutaka Yanagihara, Kunihisa Yamaguchi, Yasuyo Yamamoto, Hirofumi Izaki, Masayuki Takahashi, Kenjiro Okamoto, Masahito Yamanaka and Junya Furukawa : Impact of lymph node dissection on surgical and oncological outcomes in patients undergoing robot-assisted radical cystectomy for bladder cancer: a multicenter retrospective study, Journal of Robotic Surgery, 18, 1, 141, 2024.
(Summary)
This study was performed to clarify the therapeutic and diagnostic roles of lymph node dissection (LND) by examining the impact of LND and lymph node yield (LNY) on oncological outcomes in patients undergoing robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC). Between 2014 and 2021, 216 patients underwent LND during RARC at Tokushima University Hospital and affiliated hospitals. Among the 216 patients, we compared 115 patients with an LNY of 20 and 101 with an LNY of < 20 to investigate the impact of LNY on surgical and oncological outcomes. Furthermore, we investigated the impact of LNY and the extent of LND on oncological outcomes by dividing the extent of LND into two groups (standard and extended). The 3-year rates of overall survival (OS) (p = 0.256), cancer-specific survival (CSS) (p = 0.791), and recurrence-free survival (RFS) (p = 0.953) did not differ between the two groups divided by the LNY. A higher LNY was associated with a significantly higher lymph node positivity rate (p = 0.020). The incidence of LND-related major complications was not significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.910). The 3-year survival rates did not differ between the two groups divided by the extent of LND: OS (p = 0.366), CSS (p = 0.814), and RFS (p = 0.689). The LNY and extent of LND were not associated with oncological outcomes in patients undergoing LND during RARC, whereas a higher LNY was associated with lymph node positivity. In the era of adjuvant therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors, LND during RARC has an important diagnostic role in the detection of pathological node positivity.
Yutaro Sasaki, Kazuyoshi Izumi, Kyotaro Fukuta, Fumiya Kadoriku, Yuichiro Atagi, Kei Daizumoto, Keito Shiozaki, Ryotaro Tomida, Yoshito Kusuhara, Tomoya Fukawa, Yutaka Yanagihara, Kunihisa Yamaguchi, Yasuyo Yamamoto, Hirofumi Izaki, Masayuki Takahashi, Kenjiro Okamoto, Masahito Yamanaka and Junya Furukawa : Impact of lymph node dissection on surgical and oncological outcomes in patients undergoing robot-assisted radical cystectomy for bladder cancer: a multicenter retrospective study, Journal of Robotic Surgery, 18, 1, 141, 2024.
(Summary)
This study was performed to clarify the therapeutic and diagnostic roles of lymph node dissection (LND) by examining the impact of LND and lymph node yield (LNY) on oncological outcomes in patients undergoing robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC). Between 2014 and 2021, 216 patients underwent LND during RARC at Tokushima University Hospital and affiliated hospitals. Among the 216 patients, we compared 115 patients with an LNY of ≥ 20 and 101 with an LNY of < 20 to investigate the impact of LNY on surgical and oncological outcomes. Furthermore, we investigated the impact of LNY and the extent of LND on oncological outcomes by dividing the extent of LND into two groups (standard and extended). The 3-year rates of overall survival (OS) (p = 0.256), cancer-specific survival (CSS) (p = 0.791), and recurrence-free survival (RFS) (p = 0.953) did not differ between the two groups divided by the LNY. A higher LNY was associated with a significantly higher lymph node positivity rate (p = 0.020). The incidence of LND-related major complications was not significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.910). The 3-year survival rates did not differ between the two groups divided by the extent of LND: OS (p = 0.366), CSS (p = 0.814), and RFS (p = 0.689). The LNY and extent of LND were not associated with oncological outcomes in patients undergoing LND during RARC, whereas a higher LNY was associated with lymph node positivity. In the era of adjuvant therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors, LND during RARC has an important diagnostic role in the detection of pathological node positivity.
Yutaro Sasaki, Yasuyo Yamamoto, Saki Kobayashi, Masaaki Nishi, Masayuki Takahashi and Junya Furukawa : A case of laparoscopically assisted transperineal repair of anterior enterocele dehiscence with small bowel evisceration after robot-assisted radical cystectomy, Urology Case Reports, 52, 102629, 2024.
(Summary)
We herein report a case of successful laparoscopically assisted transperineal repair of anterior enterocele dehiscence with small bowel evisceration after robot-assisted radical cystectomy. A 75-year-old woman underwent robot-assisted radical cystectomy with anterior vaginectomy and urethrectomy for bladder cancer (pTisN0M0). Vaginal reconstruction was performed using the posterior vaginal wall. Four months after surgery, she presented with small bowel evisceration due to anterior enterocele dehiscence. She underwent laparoscopically assisted transperineal repair. The anterior enterocele dehiscence did not occur at the vaginal closure site but instead between the vaginal wall and posterior pubic bone. No recurrence had developed at 2 months postoperatively.
Junya Furukawa and Fujisawa Masato : 実臨床での使用に際し理解しておくべきhinotoriの特性, Japanese Journal of Endourology and Robotics, 37, 1, 50-54, 2024.
Review, Commentary:
1.
Yasuyo Yamamoto and Junya Furukawa : 本邦における女性NPに対する治療戦略, Japanese Journal of Clinical Urology, 78, 2, 154-159,
2.
Junya Furukawa, Ryotaro Tomida, Kei Daizumoto, Yutaro Sasaki and Tomoya Fukawa : Advances in Adjuvant Therapy for Renal Cell Carcinoma: Perspectives on Risk Stratification and Treatment Outcomes., International Journal of Urology, Mar. 2025.
(Summary)
Radical surgery is effective for localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, recurrence occurs in up to 40% of patients, underscoring the need for adjuvant therapy to improve the prognosis. Historically, adjuvant treatments, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors, have shown limited success, failing to improve overall survival. The introduction of the immune checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab, as demonstrated in the KEYNOTE-564 trial, has revolutionized the field by showing significant overall survival benefits and prompting updates to RCC treatment guidelines. Accurate risk assessment is critical for identifying high-risk patients most likely to benefit from adjuvant therapy. Established risk models, such as the UCLA Integrated Staging System and the Leibovich score, incorporate clinical and pathological factors to stratify recurrence risk. Recent enhancements in these models have improved predictive accuracy, enabling better optimization of inclusion criteria for clinical trials targeting high-risk recurrence and the development of individualized surveillance protocols to refine patient selection for adjuvant treatment. This review examines the evolution of risk stratification models and adjuvant therapy for RCC, highlighting the potential of innovative biomarkers, such as liquid biopsies, to further enhance patient selection and optimize treatment outcomes. Ongoing clinical trials investigating new combinations of immune checkpoint inhibitors hold promise, and integrating accurate risk assessment with advanced immunotherapy will be key to improving postoperative survival rates for patients with RCC.