Robotic simple prostatectomy.
OBJECTIVE
Minimally invasive approaches for large, symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia are replacing the gold standard open surgical approach, duplicating its results with lower morbidity. We describe our initial experience with robotic simple prostatectomy.


METHODS
Since January 2007, robotic simple prostatectomy was performed via a transperitoneal approach in 7 patients with symptomatic significant prostatomegaly on transrectal ultrasound (mean 77.66 gm). Demographic, perioperative and outcome data were recorded and all procedures were performed by the same surgeon.


RESULTS
Average patient age was 63.2 years (range 56 to 72) and estimated blood loss was 298 ml (range 60 to 800). Average operative time was 205 minutes (range 120 to 300). Average hospital stay was 1.4 days (range 1 to 2), average Foley catheter duration was 7 days (range 6 to 9) and drains were removed after an average of 3.75 days (range 3 to 4). Mean specimen weight on pathological examination was 50.48 gm (range 40 to 64.5). Transfusion was necessary in 1 patient. No complications were documented. Considerable improvement from baseline was noted in International Prostate Symptom Score (preoperative vs postoperative 22 vs 7.25) and maximum urine flow (preoperative vs postoperative 17.75 vs 55.5 ml per minute). Four patients were in acute urinary retention preoperatively.


CONCLUSIONS
Robotic simple prostatectomy is a feasible, reproducible procedure. Further publications are expected with larger series and larger prostatic adenomas.
Sotelo
Rene
R
La Floresta Medical Institute, Caracas, Venezuela.
Clavijo
Rafael
R
Carmona
Oswaldo
O
Garcia
Alejandro
A
Banda
Eduardo
E
Miranda
Marcelo
M
Fagin
Randy
R
D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000379:methods*; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012371:Robotics; D016896:Treatment Outcome