title: Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.
abstract: Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy is a relatively new approach to the surgical treatment of localized prostate cancer. Since its inception, the technique, however challenging, is undergoing continuous refinements which make it today a feasible, reproducible, and teachable operation practiced by urologists worldwide. The advantages of the laparoscopic approach are a magnified view of the anatomic structures, and a decreased venous bleeding in the surgical field allowing an accurate dissection of the prostate and neurovascular bundles. These advantages translate to a low positive surgical margin rate, low morbidity profile, and favorable postoperative quality of life outcomes. However, since the technique has only been performed for the past 6 years, long term cancer control and functional results data following laparoscopic radical prostatectomy are not available. For a successful laparoscopic prostatectomy program, advanced laparoscopic skills, knowledge of the prostatic anatomy, and expertise in surgical oncology are required.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021, USA.
authors.forename: A Karim
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Touijer
authors.forename: Bertrand
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Guillonneau
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000379:methods*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome