[Bipolar plasma vaporization--new endoscopic technique in non-invasive bladder cancer].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a newly introduced endoscopic technique in the treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), the bipolar plasma vaporization of bladder tumors (BPV-BT).


METHODS
Between May and November 2009, 72 consecutive patients presenting papillary bladder tumors over 1 cm underwent BPV-BT and a 3 months follow-up. Initial biopsy followed by plasma vaporization of the tumor and biopsies of the tumoral bed were performed in all cases. The follow-up protocol included abdominal ultrasonography, urinary cytology and cystoscopy at 3 months.


RESULTS
BPV-BT was successfully performed in all cases. Multiple tumors were found in 45.9% and tumors over 3 cm in 33.3% of the cases. The mean tumoral volume was 10.5 ml. The mean operative time was 16 minutes, the mean hemoglobin decrease was 0.4 g/dl, the mean catheterization period was 2.3 days and the mean hospital stay was 3.4 days. There was no major intra- or postoperative complications. The pathological exam diagnosed 58.3% pTa, 30.6% pT1 and 11.1% pT2 cases. No tumoral base biopsies were positive for malignancy. The recurrence rate was 15.6% for the NMIBC patients, 13.3% for patients with single tumor under 3 cm and 16.3% in cases of single tumors over 3 cm or multiple tumors. Orthotopic recurrent tumors were encountered in 3.1% of the cases.


CONCLUSIONS
BPV-BT seems to represent a promising endoscopic treatment alternative for NMIBC patients, with good efficacy, reduced morbidity, fast postoperative recovery and satisfactory follow-up parameters.
Geavlete
B
B
Clinica de Urologie, Spitalul Clinic de Urgenţă Sf. Ioan, Bucureşti. geavlete@gmail.com
Jecu
M
M
Multescu
R
R
Georgescu
D
D
Drăguţescu
M
M
Geavlete
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003558:Cystoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010949:Plasma; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013520:Urologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D014835:Volatilization
D012965:Sodium Chloride