Early experience of robotic assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.
BACKGROUND
Quality of life after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy has been a discussed issue among patients. Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy (RALRP) has been shown to provide the best surgical outcomes in terms of potency and continence. The program of robotic prostatectomy was started at Siriraj Hospital. Early result of the author's experience was evaluated.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the feasibility of Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy done at Siriraj Hospital.


METHODS
From March 2007 to November 2007, 34 patients (Group 1) with localized prostate cancer underwent Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy (RALRP). Perioperative data was evaluated and compared to those of 34 patients (group 2) who underwent Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy (LRP) during the same period by the same surgeon.


RESULTS
There were no demographic differences between the two groups. Catheterization time was significantly shortened in the RALRP group (p < 0.05). There was no major complication in the RALRP group, one LRP patient suffered bilateral ureteric injuries and required bilateral reimplantation. In pathological T2 patients of the last 17 consecutive cases, positive surgical margin rate was similar (14%) in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The author early experience has shown that RALRP is feasible and safe. Oncological outcome can be improved with more experience and long term follow up is needed to evaluate functional outcome including potency rate and incontinence rate.
Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. sisri@mahidol.ac.th
Sittiporn
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Srinualnad
D000368:Aged; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000209:etiology; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D011467:Prostate / Q000294:innervation / Q000601:surgery*; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012371:Robotics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013997:Time Factors; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000209:etiology