title: Models of assessment of comparative outcomes of robot-assisted surgery: best evidence regarding the superiority or inferiority of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.
abstract: The widespread dissemination of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) occurred despite the absence of high-level evidence supporting its safety and efficacy in patients with clinically localized prostate cancer. This study aims at systematically evaluating the models adopted in scientific reports assessing the comparative effectiveness of RARP versus open radical prostatectomy (ORP). Although several retrospective observational studies have assessed the comparative effectiveness of RARP and ORP, currently no published randomized data are available to comprehensively evaluate this issue. Furthermore, well-designed prospective investigations are needed to ultimately assess the benefits of RARP compared with other treatment modalities in patients with clinically localized prostate cancer.
authors.affiliation: Division of Oncology, Unit of Urology, Urological Research Institute, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Via Olgettina 57, Milan 20132, Italy. Electronic address: giorgio.gandaglia@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gandaglia
authors.affiliation: Division of Urologic Surgery and Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, 45 Francis St, ASB II-3, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Quoc-Dien
authors.initials: QD
authors.lastname: Trinh
mesh_terms: D057186:Comparative Effectiveness Research; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011468:Prostatectomy; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D065287:Robotic Surgical Procedures
keywords: Comparative effectiveness; Models of assessment; Prostate cancer; Radical prostatectomy; Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy