Objectives To externally validate the currently available nomograms for predicting lymph node invasion (LNI) in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) and to assess the potential risk of complications of extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND) when using the recommended threshold. Methods A total of 14 921 patients, who underwent radical prostatectomy with ePLND at eight European tertiary referral centres, were retrospectively identified. After exclusion of patients with incomplete biopsy or pathological data, 12 009 were included. Of these, 609 had undergone multiparametic magnetic resonance imaging‐targeted biopsies. Among ePLND‐related complications we included lymphocele, lymphoedema, haemorrhage, infection and sepsis. The performances of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre (MSKCC), Briganti 2012, Briganti 2017, Briganti 2019, Partin 2016 and Yale models were evaluated using receiver‐operating characteristic curve analysis (area under the curve [AUC]), calibration plots, and decision‐curve analysis. Results Overall, 1158 patients (9.6%) had LNI, with a mean of 17.7 and 3.2 resected and positive nodes, respectively. No significant differences in AUCs were observed between the MSKCC (0.79), Briganti 2012 (0.79), Partin 2016 (0.78), Yale (0.80), Briganti 2017 (0.81) and Briganti 2019 (0.76) models. A direct comparison of older models showed that better discrimination was achieved with the MSKCC and Briganti 2012 nomograms. A tendency for underestimation was seen for all the older models, whereas the Briganti 2017 and 2019 nomograms tended to overestimate LNI risk. Decision‐curve analysis showed a net benefit for all models, with a lower net benefit for the Partin 2016 and Briganti 2019 models. ePLND‐related complications were experienced by 1027 patients (8.9%), and 12.6% of patients with pN1 disease. Conclusions The currently available nomograms have similar performances and limitations in the prediction of LNI. Miscalibration was present, however, for all nomograms showing a net benefit. In patients with only systematic biopsy, the MSKCC and Briganti 2012 nomograms were superior in the prediction of LNI.

The Covid-19 pandemic influenced the normal course of clinical practice leading to significant delays in the delivery of healthcare services for patients non affected by Covid 19. In the near future, it will be crucial to identify facilities capable of providing health care in compliance with the safety of healthcare professionals, administrative staff and patients. All the staff involved in the project of a Covid-free hospital should be subjected to a diagnostic swab for Covid-19 before the beginning of healthcare activity and then periodically in order to avoid the risk of contamination of patients during the process of care. The modifications of various activities involved in the process of care are described: outpatient care, reception of inpatients, inpatient ward and operating room. For outpatient care, modality of appointment procedure, characteristics of waiting room and personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare professionals and administrative staff are presented. Reception of inpatients shall be conditional on a negative swab for Covid 19 obtained with a drive-in procedure. The management of the operating room represents the most crucial step of the patient's care process. The surgical team should be restricted and monitored with periodic swabs; surgical procedures should be performed by experienced surgeons according to standard procedures; surgical training experimental treatments and research protocols should be suspended. Adequate personal protective equipment and measures to reduce aerosolization in the operating room (closed circuits, continuous cycle insufflators, fume extraction) should be adopted. Prevention of possible transmission of the virus during procedures in open, laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery is to use a multi-tactic approach, which includes correct filtration and ventilation of the operating room, the use of appropriate PPE (FFP3 plus surgical mask and protective visor for all the staff working in the operating room) and smoke evacuation devices with a suction and filter system.   *for the UrOP Executive Committee Giuseppe Ludovico, Angelo Cafarelli, Ottavio De Cobelli, Ferdinando De Marco, Giovanni Ferrari, Stefano Pecoraro, Angelo Porreca, Domenico Tuzzolo

Aim: To investigate the prognostic role of neutrophil percentage-to-albumin ratio (NPAR) in muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and radical cystectomy (RC). Patients & methods: 213 patients were included. Inclusion criteria: Nonmetastatic, MIBC (cT2-T4aN0M0), at least three cycles of NAC, undergone RC and with blood count within 30 days before NAC. Results: Five-years overall survival (OS) with NPAR >18 was 34.06% (95% CI: 18.3–50.5) and 65.37% (95% CI: 52.4–75.6) with NPAR <18. Five years cancer-specific survival (CSS) with NPAR >18 was 42.9% (95% CI: 23.9–60.7) and 74.5% (95% CI: 62.6–83.1) with NPAR <18 (p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, NPAR increased OS of 1.3 points and CSS of 4.37 points. Conclusion: High NPAR prior to NAC seems to be a strong predictor of OS and CSS in MIBC patients treated with NAC and RC.

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To describe the evolution of robotic laparoendoscopic single-site radical prostatectomy (R-LESS-RP) performed with the daVinci Single-Site Platform® and a home-made multiport aimed to overcome classical drawbacks of LESS, still present with this platform. Between 09/2015 and 06/2017 12 patients underwent R-LESS RP for clinical localized prostate cancer. Following a "phase 1 (development-stage)" innovation, development, exploration, assessment, long-term study (IDEAL) framework, different solutions were drawn to overcome drawbacks of daVinci Single-Site Platform®, included 3 (A, B, and C) multi-ports developed and evaluated in term of advantages/drawbacks concerning ergonomy. The end points of this study were: feasibility, safety, efficacy, by reporting rational description of multiports configuration, demographics, perioperative variables, functional and oncological results. Semi-flexible robotic 5-mm needle-holder instead of Maryland forceps, 30° lenses up and barbed-suture allowed overcoming limits of robotic-platform. Multiport-C (GelPOINT Advanced-Access® and an extra 8-mm robotic trocar outside the multiport) showed the best compromise to ensure both surgeon and bed-side assistant to reproduce a standard robotic procedure. No conversion to either standard robotic or open technique or intraoperative complications occur in any case. Two patients experienced "high-grade" Clavien-Dindo complications. After 12.4 months follow-up, all patients were continent without any sign of biochemical relapse and among 5 preoperative potent patients submitted to nerve-sparing dissection, 4 reported good erectile-function. R-LESS-RP is feasible and safe in the hands of experienced minimally-invasive surgeons. Do date, we recommend a hybrid solution with a home-made multiport and use of an additional standard robotic trocar which allows the use endowrist® technology instruments.