title: Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy is a safe procedure.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We present our departmental experience with robot-assisted radical prostatectomy and describe complications and early results for the first 239 consecutive patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 239 patients were planned to undergo robot-assisted radical prostatectomy performed with a DaVinci robot. Final histopathology and pre- and perioperative parameters were registered. Furthermore, early and late complications were recorded according to the Clavien-Dindo classification.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy was completed in 232 patients (97.1%). The median duration of surgery decreased significantly from initially 4.6 h in the first quartile to 3.1 h in the last quartile (p < 0.001). Overall, the median perioperative blood loss was 300 ml (range: 25-1,000 ml). The median admission time was one day (range: 1-5 days), and the median duration of bladder catheterization was eight days (range: 6-149 days). In total, 88 post-operative complications were observed in 73 patients (31.5%). A total of 70 complications appeared within 30 days of surgery, whereas 18 occurred later. Among the early complications, the majority (57.1%) were minor (Clavien-Dindo grade ≤ II); however, overall 2.6% suffered an early grade ≥ IIIb complication. Overall, the margin-positive rate was 29.3% decreasing from 43.1% in the first quartile to 24.7% in the last three quartiles (p = 0.008).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy is a safe procedure with minimal blood loss, short hospitalization and short time catheter post-operatively.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  not relevant.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  not relevant.
authors.affiliation: Copenhagen Prostate Cancer Centre, Rigshospitalet, Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark. thomsen.frederik@gmail.com
authors.forename: Frederik Birkebæk
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Thomsen
authors.forename: Kasper Drimer
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Berg
authors.forename: Helle
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hvarness
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Iversen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D006801:Humans; D059032:Learning Curve; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018365:Neoplasm, Residual; D061646:Operative Time; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D012371:Robotics; D013997:Time Factors; D014546:Urinary Catheterization