title: Is there any evidence of superiority between retropubic, laparoscopic or robot-assisted radical prostatectomy?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the perioperative, short-term and long-term postoperative results of radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP), laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) and robotic assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) in the most recent studies evaluable.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using PubMed we have undertaken a search based on references from major and recent articles with considerable sample sizes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The operative blood loss and the risk of transfusion were lower in the laparoscopic and robotic-assisted approaches. The surgical duration was shorter in the open and robotic group. Regarding the positive margins, continence and potency no substantial differences between the RRP, LRP, and RALP were found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that no one surgical approach is superior in terms of functional and early oncologic outcomes. Potential advantages of any surgical approach have to be confirmed through longer-term follow-up and adequately designed clinical studies.
authors.affiliation: Section of Urology, Sao Jose Hospital, CHLC, Lisboa, Portugal. f.ferronha@gmail.com
authors.forename: Frederico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ferronha
authors.forename: Fortunato
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Barros
authors.forename: Victor Vaz
authors.initials: VV
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ravery
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Delmas
mesh_terms: D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000209:etiology; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D012371:Robotics; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000209:etiology