RARC has improved perioperative outcomes with equivalent oncological parameters when compared to open cystectomy. Patients ≥ 70-years old benefit from the robotic approach, particularly when compared to younger patients undergoing open cystectomy.

Increasing stone size and multiple access were predictors of adverse outcomes, and location of access affected stone-free status. We found no differences in outcomes between SB and SCI patients. To our knowledge, this is the largest series reported regarding PCNLs in this patient population.

Mediastinal infection is a feared complication observed after 0.4%–5% of cardiac operations. Even today the mortality remains as high as 20%–40%. We discuss the aetiology, mechanisms, prevention, diagnosis, and medical management. The staging system for mediastinal wound infections developed at a joint conference of German cardiac surgical centres is presented. The use of parenteral polyvalent immunoglobulins is also discussed. Copyright © 1999 Taylor and Francis Ltd.

In this study, we characterize the changes in kidney and renal pelvis cancer (RCC) from 1998 to 2006 in the United States. The goal is to examine variations in stage and treatments. In addition, we explore changes in risk factors that have occurred over the same period. Data on over 20,000 patients diagnosed with RCC in National Cancer Data Base were used for the study. We investigated the changes in stage and treatment rates based on race, gender and age at diagnosis from 1998 to 2006. Changes in smoking, obesity and hypertension rates over the period were examined for comparison. The increase in RCC incidence rates from 1998 to 2006 was almost entirely a result of increases in stage I. Increases for blacks were proportionally higher than whites. Obesity and hypertension increased over the period but smoking declined. In terms of treatment, there was an increase in surgery cases primarily for stage I. There were no significant differences in trends based on gender, although rates in men were 65% greater than in women. The mean age at diagnosis was stable for stages I-IV. There are increased incidences of renal tumors, particularly stage I renal cancer among blacks and whites from 1998 to 2006. Patients were more likely to undergo surgical therapy for these tumors.

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