title: Results and complications with the mini-laparotomic incision in 52 consecutive radical retropubic prostatectomies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We describe a simple mono-institutional study to prospectively assess the benefits and complications of the mini-laparotomic incision for radical retropubic prostatectomy with the anatomic approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  Radical retropubic prostatectomy with the anatomical approach, as described by Walsh, was performed through a 4 to 8 cm incision. Median operative time, body weight, prostate weight, pathologic stage, incidence of positive surgical margins, urinary continence, the need for post-operative analgesics, peri-operative complications, are the parameters we assessed. Blood losses were calculated with the aid of a specific formula instead of simply recording the suction or weighing the sponges.
  
  
  RESULTS
  52 patients were consecutively operated on through a mini-laparotomic incision. Median incisional length was 8 cm (range 4 to 8 cm). Median operating time was 116 minutes (105-141), calculated blood loss was 1108.797ml, incidence of positive margins was 14%, urinary continence was observed in 48/50 patients (98%), and there was a complication rate of 4/52 (7.6%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results we obtained with the mini-laparotomic incision are comparable to previous reports of the standard incision, also by our group, though with a lower need for postoperative analgesia. They also compare with laparoscopic prostatectomy in the length of time of catheterization and post-operative analgetic consumption.
authors.affiliation: Struttura Complessa di Urologia, E. O. Ospedali Galliera, Genova, Italy. massimo.maffezzini@galliera.it
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maffezzini
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Campodonico
authors.forename: Giacomo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Capponi
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Canepa
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gavazzi
authors.forename: Tiziana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Calcagno
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000601:surgery*; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007813:Laparotomy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000379:methods*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics