Photo Credit: Wasan

The following is a summary of “Complications and Influential Perioperative Factors Associated with SpaceOAR Hydrogel Placement,” published in the September 2024 issue of Urology by Wang et al. 

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to evaluate SpaceOAR hydrogel placement, complications, and factors affecting outcomes at one institution, aiming to improve procedural quality. 

They conducted a retrospective review of 233 patients who received SpaceOAR between 2018 and 2021. Data on demographics, oncologic parameters, radiation plans, and hydrogel placement were collected. The Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) assessed comorbidity risk. Mann–Whitney and Fisher’s exact tests compared patients with and without complications. 

The results showed that 24 of 233 patients (10.3%) experienced Clavien I or II toxicity, including pelvic pain, fullness, bleeding, and lower urinary tract symptoms. About 16 patients (6.9%) had hydrogel injected into the rectal wall without clinical significance. The average CCI for patients with complications was 3.2 ± 0.95, compared to 3.6 ± 1.6 (P = 0.48) for those without complications. Physician #1 had an 11 out of 68 (16.2%) complication rate, while Physician #2 had a 4 out of 96 (4.2%) rates. Multivariate analysis found that prior hormone therapy reduced the odds of complications. 

Investigators found a significant correlation between the listed attending and complications with SpaceOAR placement. Hormone therapy improved tolerance, and the hydrogel placement was generally well-tolerated with a low incidence of mild, transient toxicity. 

Source: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1155/2024/3439727