Outcome of vesicourethral anastomosis after robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: A 6-year experience in Taiwan

Vesicourethral Anastomosis in Transvesical Single-Port Robotic Radical Prostatectomy: A Technical Description and Perioperative Outcomes

Objective: To describe the technical evolution and perioperative outcomes of vesicourethral anastomosis (VUA) in transvesical (TV) single-port robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (SP-RARP). Materials and Methods: A retrospective review was performed on 189 patients who underwent TV SP-RARP by a single surgeon using the purpose-built SP robotic platform. VUA was completed from within the bladder using two unidirectional V-loc sutures in a continuous, semicircular manner with greater emphasis posteriorly. The most recent 20 cases of TV SP-RARP were selected to evaluate the anastomosis technique and to compare the perioperative outcomes with the first 20 cases of TV SP-RARP performed at our institution. Demographic and clinical data were collected from the prospectively maintained database and statistical analysis was performed. Results: VUA was effectively completed in all cases using the aforementioned technique without any suture breaks, need for conversion, or evidence of intraoperative complication, including urine leak. Marked improvement in the learning curve was observed, which translated to significant reduction in the number of VUA sutures (median: 13 vs 15, p < 0.05) and faster anastomosis time (median: 19.1 vs 33.5 minutes, p < 0.05). The number of anastomotic sutures did not correlate with the prostatectomy specimen weight or volume, especially with both being significantly greater in the latest cases (median weight: 45.1 vs 37.6 g, p < 0.05; median volume: 40.9 vs 36.2 mL, p < 0.05). Postoperative outcomes were favorable with immediate continence achieved in 51.3% of our total cohort and with no patients demonstrating evidence of bladder neck contracture. Conclusion: We provided a detailed technical description of VUA in TV SP-RARP. The improved maneuverability of the SP robotic platform allowed for unique movements to facilitate suture placements from within the confined space of the bladder. The learning curve of a single surgeon was shown in our study, which resulted in notable reduction in the number of sutures, faster anastomosis time, and improved perioperative outcomes.

Complete Vesicourethral Anastomotic Disruption Following Prostatectomy

Vesicourethral anastomotic (VUA) disruption with bladder displacement into the abdominal cavity following robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) is an exceedingly rare complication. There have been no cited case reports after robotic surgery but case reports after open radical prostatectomy have been noted. Other complications related to VUA include bleeding with or without pelvic hematoma, bladder neck contracture, or severe stress urinary incontinence. Following radical prostatectomy, studies estimate the rate of VUA leakage to be 1.4% and no exact rate of complete disruption is known given its rarity. However, the majority of these cases are managed conservatively and rarely require reoperation. To date, there are no published studies that describe complete VUA and bladder displacement secondary to a large pelvic hematoma following prostatectomy. We report a rare case of VUA disruption after RALP successfully managed with conservative treatment.

Single Running Suture versus Single-Knot Running Suture for Vesicourethral Anastomosis in Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy: A Prospective Randomised Comparative Study

AIM

To investigate the safety, surgical efficiency and patients' ability to recover from urinary continence as a result of a single absorbable running suture versus single-knot running suture for vesicourethral anastomosis (VUA) during laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In a prospective randomised study, we evaluated 162 consecutive patients who underwent LRP with VUA using the single running suture technique or the single-knot running suture technique. Perioperative patients' characteristics, morbidity and urinary continence were analysed.

RESULTS

The baseline characteristics were similar between the 2 groups. The single running suture technique was related to decreased anastomotic and total operative times compared with the Van Velthoven technique (13.17 ± 5.74 min vs. 28.49 ± 6.45 min, p = 0.0001, and 174.41 ± 62.97 min and 184.94 ± 46.16 min, p = 0.04, respectively). Overall, urinary continence rates at 3, 6 and 12 months in groups 1 and 2 were 49.4 and 69.1%, 81.5 and 86.4%, and 91.4 and 93.8%, respectively (all with p > 0.05 except the follow-up assessment at 3 months following surgery, p = 0.011).

CONCLUSIONS

Both methods ensure satisfactory rates of urinary leakage and bladder neck stricture, as well as continence after LRP. However, since the single running suture VUA technique is easier to perform, and the mean anastomosis time of the single running suture VUA technique is shorter than that of the Van Velthoven technique, it appears, therefore, preferable.

Three Types of Intravesical Hem-o-Lok Clip Migration After Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy

BACKGROUND

Hem-o-Lok® clips (HOLCs) (Weck® Surgical Instruments, Teleflex Medical, Durham, NC) are widely used for controlling the lateral pedicles in laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, but intravesical HOLC migrations have been reported in more and more studies. This study aimed to summarize clinical presentations, management, and outcomes of these patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Six patients with intravesical HOLC migration were retrospectively identified from 750 consecutive patients who underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy between 2005 and 2014 performed by a single surgeon. The PubMed database was also searched for Hem-o-Lok clip migration after laparoscopic prostatectomy.

RESULTS

The incidence of intravesical HOLC migration in this study was 0.8% (6/750). In total, 22 patients were reported, including six from the current series. Three types of migrations were classified: Type I migration resulted in obstructive lower urinary tract symptoms 2-8 months after prostatectomy, whereas Type II migration led to stone formation, gross hematuria, or bladder spasm; in Type III migration, patients had spontaneous expulsion of the HOLC weeks after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the incidence of intravesical HOLC migration is relatively low, Type I migration with long-term sequelae remains a concern. The use of HOLCs adjacent to anastomosis should be minimized, and any loose clip must be retrieved to reduce complications.

Optimizing the formation of vesicourethral anastomosis and reduction of procedure time. A two-year experience with a modified technique for endoscopic running vesicourethral anastomosis

INTRODUCTION

Creation of a watertight vesicourethral anastomosis is a challenging and time-consuming procedure. In an attempt to simplify this critical step of radical prostatectomy we have developed a laparoscopic running single suture technique and presented preliminary results previously. Here we report our two-year experience with the Chlosta's single running suture technique.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Between January 2013 and June 2014, 60 consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy with a running vesicourethral anastomosis using our modified technique for clinically localized prostate cancer. Analyses of the patients' data from a prospectively maintained database with respect to perioperative characteristics, morbidity and urinary continence was performed.

RESULTS

The mean anastomotic time was 10.2 min. There was no clinically significant anastomotic leakage observed. Only 3 patients developed perioperative morbidity, but none of them was classified as major. Bladder neck contracture occurred in only one man and it was managed endoscopically. Overall continence rates at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months were 73%, 85%, 96.7%, and 95%, respectively, and 76.8%, 89.3%, 96.4%, and 96.4%, respectively when analysis was limited to those without adjuvant radiotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Obtained results confirm our initial observation from the preliminary report and support the use of our single running suture for the vesicourethral anastomosis in LRP.