Factors determining functional outcomes after radical prostatectomy: robot-assisted versus retropubic

Background

Early studies reported comparative results of functional outcomes between robot-assisted (RARP) and retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP). However, well-controlled single-surgeon prospective studies comparing the outcomes are rare.

Objective

To compare functional outcomes after RARP and RRP performed by a single surgeon, and to identify factors predictive of early return of continence and potency.

Design, setting, and participants

A total of 763 consecutive patients undergoing RP between 2007 and 2010 were prospectively included and serially followed postoperatively for comparative analysis.

Intervention

RARP was performed in 528 patients, and 235 underwent RRP.

Measurements

Continence was defined as being completely pad free. Potency was defined as having erection sufficient for intercourse with or without a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor. Continence and potency recovery were checked serially by interview and questionnaire at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 mo postoperatively. Cox proportional hazards method analyses was performed to determine predictive factors for early recovery.

Results and limitations

After the initial 132 cases, patients who underwent RARP demonstrated faster recovery of urinary continence compared to RRP patients. Potency recovery was more rapid in the RARP group at all evaluation time points, beginning from the initial cases. In multivariate analysis, younger age and longer preoperative membranous urethral length seen by prostate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated statistical significance as independent prognostic factors for continence recovery; younger age, surgical method (RARP vs RRP), and higher preoperative serum testosterone were independent prognostic factors for potency recovery. The limitations of the present study were that it was nonrandomized and used interview to evaluate potency recovery.

Conclusions

Patients after RARP demonstrated superior functional recovery. Moreover, membranous urethral length on preoperative MRI and patient age were factors independently predictive of continence recovery, while patient age and higher preoperative serum testosterone were independent prognostic factors for potency recovery.     

Patients with prior TURP undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy have higher positive surgical margin rates

With the incidence of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RALP) increasing, questions regarding the significance of margin status have arisen. Patients with a history of a prior transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) may have a higher incidence of positive margins because of the prior surgery. We examined our IRB-approved database to determine whether patients who had undergone a prior TURP had higher rates of positive margins than patients who had no history of TURP. Between July 2003 and March 2007, six urologic surgeons in our medical group (City of Hope medical group) performed RALP on 2,041 patients. Consent to enter the database was obtained from 1,768 patients. Of these, 51 had undergone prior TURP. Patients with a history of TURP before undergoing RALP had positive margin rates of 35.3% (18 of 51) compared with 17.6% (18 of 102) of patients without a history of TURP (P = 0.015). The location of the positive margins was statistically more prevalent at the bladder neck in TURP patients (13.7 vs. 2.0%) than in non-TURP patients (Fisher’s exact P value = 0.004). These two groups were statistically similar with regard to other variables examined including race, BMI, preoperative PSA, Gleason score, and pathologic stage. Patients who underwent RALP following TURP were found to have a higher positive margin rate. The positive margins were more likely to be located at the bladder neck in TURP versus non-TURP patients.     

Identification and preservation of accessory pudendal vessels during robot-assisted laparoscopic radical retropubic prostatectomy

The introduction of minimally invasive surgery for radical retropubic prostatectomy has increased the incidence of recognition of accessory pudendal arteries. Early identification and preservation of these vessels is paramount for optimal functional outcomes. In this article, we describe our robotic surgical technique for identification and preservation of both lateral and apical accessory pudendal arteries. The illuminated, magnified surgical field, the pneumoperitoneum which minimizes venous bleeding, and the ability to acutely angle the robotic instruments assists in the preservation of these arteries. Although anatomy precludes the preservation of all accessory pudendal arteries, adopting a strategic approach to robotic dissection allows accessory pudendal arteries to be successfully spared in most cases.     

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: The Ohio State University technique

Robotic radical prostatectomy is a new innovation in the surgical treatment of prostate cancer. The technique is continuously evolving. In this article we demonstrate The Ohio State University technique for robotic radical prostatectomy. Robotic radical prostatectomy is performed using the da Vinci surgical system. The video demonstrates each step of the surgical procedure. Preliminary results with robotic prostatectomy demonstrate the benefits of minimally invasive surgery while also showing encouraging short-term outcomes in terms of continence, potency and cancer control. Robotic radical prostatectomy is an evolving technique that provides a minimally invasive alternative for the treatment of prostate cancer. Our experience with the procedure now stands at over 1,300 cases. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Positive surgical margin and perioperative complication rates of primary surgical treatments for prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing retropubic, laparoscopic, and robotic prostatectomy

Context

Radical prostatectomy (RP) approaches have rarely been compared adequately with regard to margin and perioperative complication rates.

Objective

Review the literature from 2002 to 2010 and compare margin and perioperative complication rates for open retropubic RP (ORP), laparoscopic RP (LRP), and robot-assisted LRP (RALP).

Evidence acquisition

Summary data were abstracted from 400 original research articles representing 167 184 ORP, 57 303 LRP, and 62 389 RALP patients (total: 286 876). Articles were found through PubMed and Scopus searches and met a priori inclusion criteria (eg, surgery after 1990, reporting margin rates and/or perioperative complications, study size >25 cases). The primary outcomes were positive surgical margin (PSM) rates, as well as total intra- and perioperative complication rates. Secondary outcomes included blood loss, transfusions, conversions, length of hospital stay, and rates for specific individual complications. Weighted averages were compared for each outcome using propensity adjustment.

Evidence synthesis

After propensity adjustment, the LRP group had higher positive surgical margin rates than the RALP group but similar rates to the ORP group. LRP and RALP showed significantly lower blood loss and transfusions, and a shorter length of hospital stay than the ORP group. Total perioperative complication rates were higher for ORP and LRP than for RALP. Total intraoperative complication rates were low for all modalities but lowest for RALP. Rates for readmission, reoperation, nerve, ureteral, and rectal injury, deep vein thrombosis, pneumonia, hematoma, lymphocele, anastomotic leak, fistula, and wound infection showed significant differences between groups, generally favoring RALP. The lack of randomized controlled trials, use of margin status as an indicator of oncologic control, and inability to perform cost comparisons are limitations of this study.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis demonstrates that RALP is at least equivalent to ORP or LRP in terms of margin rates and suggests that RALP provides certain advantages, especially regarding decreased adverse events.     

Surgical margin status after radical retropubic prostatectomy

This month there are two mini-reviews on aspects of prostate cancer. The first, from the USA, presents the implications of surgical margin status after radical prostatectomy and the potential role of adjuvant radiation therapy. The second, from the USA and Belgium, discusses the use of hormonal therapy for PSA-only recurrence of prostate cancer after previous local therapy. In the third mini-review, the condition known as hypoactive sexual desire disorder is described, and that it is often ignored or erroneously treated as erectile dysfunction suggests to the authors that education of doctors and patients is required. Finally, there is a mini-review of conventional and alternative methods for providing analgesia in renal colic.     

Surgical margins in radical prostatectomy: a comparison between retropubic and laparoscopic surgery

Objectives To compare positive surgical margins in both radical retropubic prostatectomies and laparoscopic surgery in two reference centres in Brazil. Materials and methods One hundred and seventy nine pathological studies from patients, who underwent radical prostatectomy due to prostate adenocarcinoma, 89 submitted to retropubic surgery and 90 to laparoscopic surgery, were analyzed. Inclusion criteria Patients with PSA ≤15 ng/ml, and a Gleason score ≤7 at the prostate biopsy, maximum T2 clinical staging. Results There has been surgical margin compromising in 41.57% of the patients submitted to retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP), 34.21% of which were at pT2 stage and 84.61% were at pT3 stage. In patients submitted to laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) positive surgical margin was found at 24.44% of the cases: 20.98% of which were at pT2 stage and 55.55% at pT3 stage. Conclusions In the analyzed samples, proportion of positive surgical margin was higher in RRP than in LRP (P = 0.023). A higher number of patients on a randomized prospective study would be necessary for a better comparison between the groups.     

经腹与经腹膜外腹腔镜下前列腺癌根治术的效果比较

目的 比较经腹与经腹膜外途径腹腔镜下手术治疗前列腺癌的临床效果.方法前列腺癌患者33例行腹腔镜下前列腺癌根治术,其中经腹21例,经腹膜外12例.对2组患者手术时间、术中出血量、术中并发症、肠功能恢复时间、术后住院时间、术后并发症等资料进行比较分析.结果 33例手术均成功.经腹与经腹膜外2组手术时间分别为(299±46)和(309±64)min,出血量分别为(618±448)和(677±469)ml,2组比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).经腹组术中发生大出血3例、膀胱损伤2例、单侧输尿管损伤1例,经腹膜外组术中发生大出血1例、闭孔神经损伤1例、腹膜损伤1例、膀胱三角损伤1例.2组术后留置导尿时间分别为(14.6±3.8)和(12.3±2.9)d,肠功能恢复时间分别为(2.7±0.7)和(2.1±0.5)d,术后住院时间分别为(17.0±3.6)d和(11.2±3.5)d,2组比较差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 腹腔镜下前列腺癌根治术经腹膜外比经腹途径具有视野清晰、对腹腔器官影响小、术后恢复快、术后住院短等优点.     

Lateral view dissection of the prostato-urethral junction to reduce positive apical margin in laparoscopic radical prostatectomy

Objective:   To assess the impact of lateral view apical dissection in laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) on the reduction of positive surgical margin rates and recovery of postoperative continence.
Methods:   One hundred and forty-four consecutive patients underwent LRP from October 2004 to March 2008. Lateral view dissection of the prostato-urethral junction was conducted in 76 of them (Group 2). Standard dissection was used in the remaining patients (Group 1). The effect of this technical modification on the reduction of positive surgical margin rates and postoperative recovery of urinary continence was assessed in the two groups.
Results:   Overall, the incidence of positive margins decreased from 23 (35.9%) in Group 1 to 16 cases (21.9%) in Group 2 ( P  = 0.07). Positive margin rates in pT2 decreased from 30.6% to 6.5% ( P  = 0.006). Apical and dorso-apical margins were reduced from 26.5% to 4.3% ( P  = 0.009) and from 10.2% to 0% ( P  < 0.001), respectively. Postoperative recovery of urinary continence improved significantly, with a pad-free rate over the first 3 months of 55.9% in Group 1 vs 71.7% in Group 2 ( P  = 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed this modified surgical technique to predict a lower rate of positive margins.
Conclusion:   Lateral view dissection of the prostato-urethral junction is an easily applicable technical modification. It provides better visualization of apical anatomy substantially contributing to the reduction of positive surgical margin rates, especially at the level of prostatic apex.     

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy in men with metabolic syndrome

ObjectivesMetabolic syndrome (MetS), the constellation of obesity and related risk factors for cardiovascular disease, is an expanding epidemiologic concern in the United States and the developed world. However, the relationship between MetS and prostate cancer remains to be definitively assessed. We evaluated the association between obesity and MetS with prostate cancer pathology and surgical and functional outcomes.Materials and methodsA total of 2,639 patients underwent robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) for localized prostate cancer between March 2003 and July 2012. Of them, 186 patients met the criteria for MetS as defined by the presence of obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 30 kg/m²) in conjunction with 2 or more of the following: hypertension (HTN), dyslipidemia (D), and diabetes (DM). Additionally, reference cohorts of (1) 663 nonobese men without HTN, D, or DM; (2) 184 obese patients without HTN, D, or DM; and (3) 211 obese men with solitary risk factors were identified for comparison. Demographic, histopathologic, and perioperative clinical parameters were compared.ResultsIn comparison with patients without MetS, patients with MetS had larger prostates (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.609, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.04–2.49, P = 0.03), increased blood loss (OR = 1.592, 95% CI = 1.15–2.21, P = 0.01), and surgical complexity (OR = 4.940, 95% CI = 2.29–10.69, P<0.001). There was no statistical difference observed between these groups in regard to complication rates, pathologic grade, stage, and postoperative continence or erectile function. With the exception of larger prostates found among men with MetS, men with obesity alone and obesity with 1 additional risk factor appeared similar to those with MetS.ConclusionsPatients with MetS had similar perioperative, histopathologic, and functional outcomes compared with reference cohorts undergoing RALP. RALP is safe, feasible, and efficacious in men with MetS.     

腹膜外途径腹腔镜下根治性前列腺切除术切缘阳性的影响因素

目的探讨经腹膜外途径腹腔镜下根治性前列腺切除术后切缘阳性的影响因素。方法回顾性分析我院2010年1月至2018年12月99例行腹膜外途径腹腔镜下根治性前列腺切除术患者的临床资料。年龄51~79岁,平均(65.37±6.07)岁;前列腺特异抗原(PSA)2.80~79.50ng/mL,平均(16.84±12.28)ng/mL。分析术后病理切缘阳性的特征。按年龄、体质指数、术前PSA水平、穿刺针数阳性百分率、穿刺至手术时间、穿刺病理Gleason评分、临床T分期、前列腺癌危险分度、术后病理Gleason评分、术后T分期、腹盆腔手术史等进行分组,分析各组切缘阳性率的差异。采用χ^2检验进行单因素分析,有统计学差异的变量进入多因素Logistic回归分析,评价临床及病理相关资料与切缘阳性的关系。结果本组99例患者均在腹腔镜下顺利完成,无1例中转开放,手术时间平均(199.66±66.01)min,术中出血量平均(152.02±140.28)mL。术后病理证实均为前列腺癌,术后病理切缘阳性26例(26.3%)。将各危险因素分组后进行单因素分析,结果显示不同穿刺针数阳性百分率(P=0.047)、穿刺病理Gleason评分(P=0.023)、术后病理Gleason评分(P=0.007)、术后T分期(P=0.004)与切缘阳性存在相关性(P<0.05),而年龄(P=0.134)、体质指数(P=0.838)、术前PSA水平(P=0.299)、穿刺至手术时间(P=1.000)、临床T分期(P=0.821)、前列腺癌危险分度(P=0.903)、腹盆腔手术史(P=0.607)与切缘阳性均无相关性(P>0.05)。将单因素分析差异有统计学意义的指标及术前PSA、临床分期进行多因素分析,结果显示仅术后T分期(P=0.011)是切缘阳性的独立危险因素。结论穿刺针数阳性百分率、穿刺病理Gleason评分、术后病理Gleason评分、术后T分期与切缘阳性存在相关性,其中穿刺针数阳性百分率、穿刺病理Gleason评分及术后T分期越高,切缘阳性率越高。术后T分期是经腹膜外途径腹腔镜下根治性前列腺切除术后切缘阳性的独立危险因素。     

Assessment of low prostate weight as a determinant of a higher positive margin rate after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: a prospective pathologic study of 1,500 cases

Background  The assessment of prostate weight as a determinant of a high prostate margin rate after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy has not been studied. Methods  Prospective pathologic findings of 1,500 patients who underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP, 399 cases) and da Vinci^TM prostatectomy (DVP, 1,101 cases) between December 2000 to June 2006 at City of Hope National Medical Center were evaluated. Gleason score, pathologic stage, the presence or absence of positive margins, extraprostatic tumor extension, and seminal vesicle involvement by tumor were recorded in all patients. Preoperational serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels were recorded in all but 13 cases. These parameters were then correlated with prostate weight. Results  Of 1,500 patients, 345 had one or more positive margins (23%). Patients with low median prostate weight (49 g) had a significantly higher positive margin rate (p < 0.0001) and incidence of extraprostatic extension by tumor (p = 0.04), and were 1.523 times more likely to have positive margins [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.167–1.985]. Conclusion  We conclude that low prostate weight may be a determinant of a higher recurrence rate and more aggressive disease.     

Surgical margin status of open versus laparoscopic radical prostatectomy specimens

Objectives:   To compare the surgical margin (SM) status between open and laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RRP and LRP, respectively) specimens.
Methods:   Surgical specimens from 137 patients undergoing LRP and 220 patients undergoing RRP for clinically localized prostate cancer were included in the analysis. SM status in each resected specimen, including the number of positive SM as well as their location, was examined.
Results:   The incidence of positive SM in the LRP group was significantly greater than that in the RRP group. Despite the lack of significant difference in the proportion of solitary positive SM between these two groups, the proportion of multiple positive SM in the LRP group was significantly greater than that in the RRP group. There was no significant difference in the incidence of anterior positive SM between the two groups, while the incidences of positive SM at the apex, posterior site and bladder neck in the LRP group were significantly greater than those in the RRP group. Furthermore, there were no significant preoperative parameters predicting positive SM in the LRP group. On the other hand, the biopsy Gleason score and clinical T stage were identified as significant predictors of positive SM in the RRP group, of which the biopsy Gleason score was independently related to the presence of positive SM.
Conclusions:   Clinical T stage and Gleason score could be useful predictors of SM status following RRP, while positive SM in LRP specimens were detected irrespective of preoperative parameters, suggesting the need for an effort for further refining the LRP procedure.     

前列腺癌切缘阳性风险列线图的建立和验证

目的:建立预测前列腺癌术后切缘阳性结果的列线图模型,并进行相应的验证,为预测术后切缘阳性的风险提供依据。方法:纳入PC-follow数据库中北京医院、北京大学第一医院、北京大学第三医院、海军军医大学第一附属医院、西安交通大学第一附属医院2015—2018年收治的2215例前列腺癌患者的病例资料,年龄67.3(33~88)岁。PSA(45.2±18.9)ng/ml。前列腺穿刺活检针数6~32针,穿刺阳性针数百分比4%~100%,穿刺活检病理Gleason评分6~10分。采用单纯随机抽样法将患者分为建模组和验证组。建模组1770例,年龄65.5(33~88)岁,PSA(48.2±12.4)(0.01~99.4)ng/ml。验证组445例,年龄68.6(47~82)岁,PSA(43.7±14.8)(0.01~87.2)ng/ml。对两组患者年龄(<60岁,60~70岁,>70岁)、PSA(<4 ng/ml,4~10 ng/ml,11~20 ng/ml,>20 ng/ml)、盆腔MRI检查结果(阴性,可疑,阳性)、肿瘤临床分期(T 1~T 2期,≥T 3期)、穿刺阳性针数百分比(≤33%,34%~66%,>66%)、穿刺活检病理Gleason评分(≤6分,7分,≥8分)进行单因素和多因素logistic分析,筛选有意义的指标构建预测前列腺癌术后切缘阳性结果的列线图模型。在验证组对该模型进行验证,并与构成列线图的单一因素的预测效果进行比较。结果:单因素分析结果显示,术前PSA水平、盆腔MRI检查结果、穿刺针数阳性率、穿刺病理Gleason评分与术后切缘阳性率有相关性(P<0.05)。多因素分析结果显示,术前PSA水平(OR=2.046,95%CI 1.022~4.251,P=0.009)、穿刺阳性针数百分比(OR=1.502,95%CI 1.136~1.978,P=0.002)、穿刺病理Gleason评分(OR=1.568,95%CI 1.063~2.313,P=0.028)、盆腔MRI检查结果(OR=1.525,95%CI 1.160~2.005,P=0.033)为前列腺癌术后切缘阳性的独立预测指标,根据上述指标建立列线图模型。列线图模型预测验证组切缘阳性的受试者工作特征曲线(ROC)的曲线下面积为0.776,而以术前PSA水平、穿刺阳性针数百分比、穿刺病理Gleason评分、盆腔MRI检查结果、术后病理Gleason评分等单一因素预测验证组切缘阳性的ROC曲线下面积分别为0.554、0.615、0.556、0.522和0.560,列线图模型与单一指标比较差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:构建的列线图模型较单独应用术前PSA水平、穿刺阳性针数百分比、穿刺病理Gleason评分、盆腔MRI检查结果、术后病理Gleason评分在预测前列腺癌术后切缘阳性方面具有更高的诊断价值。     

机器人辅助腹腔镜根治性前列腺切除术130例

目的 评估da Vinci S机器人辅助腹腔镜根治性前列腺切除术（RARP）的疗效和安全性.方法 回顾分析2009年7月至2013年9月,复旦大学附属中山医院应用da Vinci S手术系统（da Vinci Intuitive Surgical Inc.,Sunnyvale,CA,USA.）完成RARP术130例的情况.年龄48～76岁,平均（67±6）岁;PSA水平为2.16～ 78.20 ng/ml,平均（26.05±8.41）ng/ml;Gleason评分6～10;肿瘤临床分期均为局限性前列腺癌.结果 130例均经腹腔途径,采用机器人3臂或4臂,5～6枚troc ar完成RARP,无机器人机械故障或其他原因导致的术式改变.术前机器人准备时间20 ～ 90 min,平均（48.5±15.4） min;手术时间90 ～ 300 min,平均（143.6±22.9） min;术中出血量50 ～ 600 ml,平均（158.2±59.6） ml,2例（1.5％）术后输血400ml.术后2～3d下床活动,平均（2.2±0.6）d;术后住院5～21d,平均（6.6±1.9）d;4～21d拔除导尿管,平均（6.1±2.0）d.术后主要并发症包括：漏尿6例（4.6％）,漏尿于术后3～15d停止.术后淋巴瘘8例（6.2％）,术后2～3周停止,未发现淋巴囊肿.术后下肢静脉栓塞、肺栓塞和附睾炎各1例,治疗后好转.术后病理切缘阳性12例（9.2％）,精囊见癌侵犯10例（7.7％）,闭孔淋巴结转移4例（3.1％）.术后1～12个月复查PSA均＜ 0.2 ng/ml,术后6个月和1年完全控尿率达86％和95％.结论RARP安全、可靠,具有出血更少、恢复更快等优势,是根治性前列腺切除术的首选方式.     

Robotic radical prostatectomy in Greece: the learning curve and beyond. The initial 40 cases

Radical prostatectomy is the treatment of choice for management of organ-confined prostate cancer. Minimally invasive treatments, as an alternative, have refined been recently by the introduction of da Vinci robotic technology which has the potential to improve surgical outcomes and reduce the steep learning curve associated with conventional laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. We report on our experience with robotic radical prostatectomy using the first da Vinci robotic system in our country. During 8 months, 40 robotic radical prostatectomies were performed by a single surgical team at Athens Medical Centre (Marousi, Greece). Preoperative data collection included basic demographics, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), clinical stage, and Gleason score. Operative outcomes included operative time, estimated blood loss, and complications. Postoperative outcomes included hospital stay, pain, catheter time, pathology, PSA, return of continence, and potency. Average operative time was 186.25 min with an estimated mean blood loss of 135 ml. There were no intra-operative complications. Ninety per cent of the patients were discharged home on postoperative day 1 with mean haematocrit 36.7 (range 29–43). All patients reported minimal postoperative pain and resumed regular diet on the first postoperative day. Average catheter time was 6.6 days (range 5–10). Early continence was observed in 47.5% of the patients, seven days after catheter removal. Continence at 1, 3, and 6 months was 75, 82.5 and 95%, respectively. The overall positive margin rate was 17.5%. Ninety-five per cent of the patients had undetectable postoperative PSA levels (less than 0.1 ng/ml) at a median follow-up of 6 months. Our initial experience with robotic radical prostatectomy is very promising. The learning curve was approximately 10–12 cases. With a methodical approach we were able to implement the method safely and effectively in our practice, combining minimal morbidity with good oncological and functional outcomes.     

Robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy by a single surgeon in Taiwan: experience with the initial 30 cases

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) is an established trend in surgical treatment for localized prostate cancer in the USA; however, RALP is still in its infancy in Taiwan. We have tracked various indicators of proficiency as a single Taiwanese surgeon became familiar with the procedure through experience with 30 initial RALP surgeries using the da Vinci system between December 2005 and April 2007. Here, we report the changes in these proficiency indicators, and the short-term outcomes for the patients. Thirty consecutive patients were classified into group 1 (cases 1–15) and group 2 (cases 16–30). Preoperative clinical characteristics, including age, body mass index (BMI), American Society of Anesthesiologists anesthetic surgical risks class (ASA), prostate-specific antigen levels (PSA), and Gleason scores were similar between the groups. The clinical stage (T1/T2) was significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1 (p = 0.028). Group 1 needed more frequent insertion of a double-J stent (60% versus 0%) before surgery and evaluation by cystogram before removal of urethral catheter (80% versus 6.7%) than group 2; these differences were statistically significant. Blood loss and transfusion rates were lower in group 2, but complication and conversion rates were higher in group 1. These differences were not statistically significant. Positive surgical margins, continence rates, potency, and intercourse rates at 12 months were similar between the groups. Console time was 262 min in group 1 and 190 min in group 2 (p = 0.033); this appeared to be the best indicator of proficiency. Establishing proficiency as determined by functional outcomes required about 30 cases, but the positive surgical margin rates indicate that experience with more than 30 cases was needed to ascend the learning curve with respect to oncological outcomes.     

Clinical effect of a positive surgical margin without extraprostatic extension after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the effect of positive surgical margin (PSM) without extraprostatic extension after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).Materials and methodsWe retrospectively reviewed 837 patients who underwent RARP for clinically localized prostate cancer without neoadjuvant endocrine therapy. The pT2+category lesions were defined according to World Health Organization classification. The actuarial probabilities of biochemical recurrence-free survival (BCR-FS) were determined using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were also used to identify independent predictors for BCR.ResultsOf the 837 patients, 102 (12.2%) experienced BCR during the follow-up period. The BCR-FS rate was significantly higher in patients with pT2+category tumors than in those with pT3a category tumors, and significantly lower in patients with pT2+category tumors than that in those with pT2 category tumors without PSM. The BCR-FS rate of patients with pT2+category tumors was significantly higher than that with pT3a category tumors with PSM but not significantly different from that with pT3a category tumors without PSM. In a multivariate analysis, the pathological T category considering pT2+category was one of independent predictive factors for BCR.ConclusionsThis study support the hypothesis that the pT2+category disease is associated with a significantly increased risk of BCR in patients with organ-confined prostate cancer after RARP. As PSM can be avoided in some cases, urologists should continually seek to improve their operative skills and to reduce the rate of PSM, especially in patients with organ-confined prostate cancer.     

Prevention and management of perioperative complications in laparoscopic and endoscopic radical prostatectomy

Introduction  Laparoscopic transperitoneal radical prostatectomy (LRP) and endoscopic extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy (EERPE) are established techniques for the management of localized prostate cancer in numerous specialized urologic centers worldwide. Results  The complication rates of LRP and EERPE are ranging between 2 and 17%. Rare but possible complications are vascular injuries, bowel injury, lymphocele formation, port-site hernia, anastomotic leakage, gas embolism and catheter obstruction and other rare events. Conclusion  Prevention and management of complications requires high surgical expertise and adequate standardization of the technique. Materials and methods  We herein review our experience with the endoscopic extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy in a series of 1,800 consecutive patients regarding the appearance of complications and their management.     

腹腔镜下前列腺癌根治术后切缘阳性的相关因素分析

目的 探讨腹腔镜下前列腺癌根治术后切缘阳性的相关因素. 方法 2004年2月至2007年9月,采用腹膜外途径行腹腔镜下前列腺癌根治术33例.患者年龄57～78岁,平均70岁.术前均经病理证实前列腺癌诊断.Gleason评分3+3者14例(43%)、3+4者11例(33%)、4+3者6例(18%)、4+4者2例(6%),临床分期T1a～T1b 4例(12%)、T1c14例(43%)、T2a～T2b 5例(15%)、T2c 10例(30%).多因素回归分析比较根治术后标本切缘阳性与阴性组临床及生物学参数指标. 结果 腹腔镜下完成前列腺癌根治术31例,中转开放手术2例.术后病理报告切缘阳性9例(27%)、阴性24例(73%).切缘阳性组与阴性组患者术前临床分期T2c分别为6例(67%)和4例(17%)(P=0.010),术后Gleason评分＞7分者分别为3例(33%)和0例(P=0.015),术前PSA＞20ng/ml分别为4例(44%)和5例(21%)(P=0.178),直肠指诊可触及结节或局部质硬者分别为4例(44%)和9例(38%)(P=0.509).多因素回归分析结果显示:临床分期T2c与切缘阳性呈独立正相关关系(OR=24.69),T2c患者术后切缘阳性率明显增高.术前Gleason评分＞7分者切缘阳性率增高,PSA＞20 ng/ml者切缘阳性率有增高趋势,但二者需结合临床分期等指标综合判断对术后切缘阳性的影响.直肠指诊触及结节或质硬者切缘阳性率略增高,可作为参考指标. 结论 影响腹腔镜下前列腺癌根治术后切缘阳性的因素为临床分期、术前病理Gleason评分、总PSA和直肠指诊.临床分期可以作为预测术后切缘阳性的独立相关因素,≥T2c期的患者术后切缘阳性率明显增加.Gleason评分＞7分、PSA＞20 ng/ml作为重要参考指标,应结合临床分期综合分析;直肠指诊有结节或质硬可作为参考指标.