2006 - UZ Leuven

on overall survival was studied. Survival was calculated using theKaplan-Meier method.Results: Tumour grade (p = 0,200), tumour size (p = 0.057) andpresence of associated metastases (p = 0.1491) were not significantlypredictive for TT level. However, in the group with no apparentmetastases, we found a significantly better 5-year overall survival of55% in patients with TT confined to the renal vein compared to 20% inpatients with TT extending into the IVC (p = 0.0016). We were unableto determine to what extent the level of TT in the IVC influences longtermsurvival due to small sample sizes. Finally, the presence ofassociated metastases clearly impacted survival in the total group,with a 5-year survival of 55% in the group without metastasiscompared to 10% in the group with metastasis (p < 0.0001).Conclusions: The level of TT is not significantly associated withtumour characteristics (grade, size and metastasis). Our data confirmthat non-metastatic RCC with TT is potentially curable condition, witha 5-year overall survival of 55%. However, survival is significantlydifferent for patients with TT extending into the renal vein compared toTT extending into the IVC. In this respect, it might be interesting to reevaluatethe 2002 TNM staging system which combines these twogroups (except IVD involvement extending above the diaphragm)equally as T3b. Radical nephrectomy in patients with TT andassociated metastatic spread yields poor results, with only 10%surviving more than 5 years.KONSTANTINOVIC M.L., PILLE E., MALINOWSKA M., VERBEKEN E., DERIDDER D., DEPREST J.: Tensile strength and host response towardsdifferent polypropylene implant materials used for augmentation offascial repair in a rat model. Int. Urogynecol. J., 2006; oct. 10; (Epubahead of print).We compared inflammatory response, fibrosis and biomechanicalproperties of different polypropylene materials from one manufacturer(Tyco Healthcare) in a rat model for primary fascial repair. Fullthicknessabdominal wall defects were primarily repaired using'overlay' technique. Multifilament implants were Surgipro SPM andSPMW, the latter a wider-weave type of the former. MonofilamentSPMM implants and polypropylene suture repair (Surgipro II) servedas controls. Explants were evaluated macroscopically and changes inthickness, shrinkage and tensile strength were measured.Inflammatory and connective tissue response was assessed onhaematoxylin-eosin and Movat stains. Immunohistochemistry wasdone to localise rat macrophages/monocytes. Multifilament materialsinduced a shorter acute inflammatory response and more pronouncedchronic inflammatory reaction compared to monofilament implants.147