Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: 10 years experience.
OBJECTIVE
The authors assess the morbidity, functional results and oncologic follow-up of a series of laparoscopic radical prostatectomies performed in over a 10-year period.


METHODS
The data on 780 laparoscopic radical prostatectomies performed between September 1997 and December 2007 were stored in a personal database. The following parameters are described and critically analyzed: operative time, blood transfusions, conversions, length of hospital stay, complications, functional results of sexual potency and urinary continence, surgical margins and oncologic follow-up.


RESULTS
Operative time averaged 125 minutes, with a mean bleeding volume of 335 mL and mean hospital stay of 4.3 days. The rate of conversion to open surgery was 1.36% and the overall complication rate was 14.24%. The pathology analysis showed pT2 tumors in 82.60% and pT3 tumors in 17.39% of cases. The overall positive margin rate was 19.58%, with a biochemical recurrence of 10.27% at a mean follow-up of 62.5 months. Urinary continence and sexual potency yielded rates of 88% and 61%, respectively, 12 months after surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy is a technically well-defined procedure that provides good oncologic and functional results after proper training.
Section of Urology, Santa Casa de Misericordia de Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. mirandolino@terra.com.br
Mirandolino B
MB
Mariano
Marcos V
MV
Tefilli
Gilvan N
GN
Fonseca
Isidoro H
IH
Goldraich
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome