Surgical Steps That Elongate Operative Time in Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy Among the Obese Population

Perioperative, functional, and oncologic outcomes in obese patients undergoing Da Vinci robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The influence of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) in obese (OB) and non-obese (NOB) prostate cancer patients remains a topic of debate. The objective of this study was to juxtapose the perioperative, functional, and oncologic outcomes of RARP in OB and NOB cohorts.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We systematically searched the databases such as PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library database to identify relevant studies published in English up to September 2023. Review Manager was used to compare various parameters. The study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023473136). Sixteen comparative trials were included for 8434 obese patients compared with 55,266 non-obese patients.

RESULTS

The OB group had a longer operative time (WMD 17.8 min, 95% CI 9.7,25.8; p < 0.0001), a longer length of hospital stay (WMD 0.18 day, 95% CI 0.12,0.24; p < 0.00001, a higher estimated blood loss (WMD 50.6 ml, 95% CI 11.7,89.6; p = 0.01), and higher pelvic lymphadenectomy rate (RR 1.08, 95% CI 1.04,1.12; p < 0.0001)and lower nerve sparing rate (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.91,0.99; p < 0.01), but there was no difference between unilateral (RR 1.0, 95% CI 0.8,1.3; p = 0.8)and bilateral (RR 0.9, 95% CI 0.9,1.0; p = 0.06)nerve sparing rate. Then, complication rates (RR 1.6, 95% CI 1.5,1.7; p < 0.00001) were higher in the OB group, and both major (RR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1,1.8; p = 0.01)and minor (RR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1,1.7; p < 0.01)complication rates were higher in the OB group. Moreover, obese patients showed significantly higher probabilities of incontinence (RR 1.17, 95% CI 1.03,1.33; p = 0.01) and impotency (RR 1.08, 95% CI 1.01,1.15; p = 0.02) at 1 year. Last, the positive surgical margin (RR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1,1.3; p < 0.01) was higher in the OB group.

CONCLUSION

In the obese group, perioperative outcomes, total complications, functional outcomes, and oncologic outcomes were all worse for RARP. Weight loss before RARP may be a feasible strategy to improve the prognosis of patients.

Objective performance indicators differ in obese and nonobese patients during robotic proctectomy

BACKGROUND

Robotic surgery is perceived to be more complex in obese patients. Objective performance indicators, machine learning-enabled metrics, can provide objective data regarding surgeon movements and robotic arm kinematics. In this feasibility study, we identified differences in objective performance indicators during robotic proctectomy in obese and nonobese patients.

METHODS

Endoscopic videos were annotated to delineate individual surgical steps across 39 robotic proctectomies (1880 total steps). Thirteen patients were obese and 26 were nonobese. Objective performance indicators during the following steps were analyzed: splenic flexure mobilization, left colon mobilization, pelvic dissection, and rectal transection.

RESULTS

The following differences were noted during robotic proctectomy in obese patients: during splenic flexure mobilization, more arm swaps, longer camera path length and velocity; during left colon mobilization, longer step time, more arm swaps, higher camera-related metrics (movement, path length, velocity, acceleration, and jerk), greater dominant arm path length, moving time, and wrist articulation; during anterior pelvic dissection, longer energy activation time, camera path length, and moving time; during posterior pelvic dissection, lower nondominant arm velocity, jerk, and acceleration; during left pelvic dissection, longer energy activation time; during right pelvic dissection, greater camera-related metrics (movement, path length, moving time, and velocity); and during rectal transection, longer step time, more arm swaps, master clutch use and camera movements, greater dominant wrist articulation, and longer dominant arm path length.

CONCLUSION

We report step-specific objective performance indicators that differ during robotic proctectomy for obese and nonobese patients. This is the first study to use objective performance indicators to correlate a patient attribute with surgeon movements and robotic arm kinematics during robotic colorectal surgery.

High-volume surgeons decrease operating time in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: results in 1229 patients

BACKGROUND

The aim is to evaluate factors impacting operating time (OT) during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) with or without extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND) for prostate cancer.

METHODS

Overall, 1289 patients underwent RARP from January 2013 to December 2021. ePLND was performed in 825 cases. Factors potentially associated with OT variations were assessed. Three low-volume (LVS) and two high-volume surgeons (HVS) performed the procedures. A linear regression model was computed to assess associations with OT variations.

RESULTS

When RARP was performed by HVS an OT decrease was observed independently by significant clinical (Body Mass Index [BMI]; prostate volume [PV]) and anatomical/perioperative features (prostate weight [PW]; intraoperative blood loss [BL]) both in clinical (change in OT: -42.979 minutes; 95% CI: -51.789; -34.169; P<0.0001) and anatomical/perioperative models (change in OT: -40.020 minutes; 95% CI: -48.494; -31.587; P<0.0001). A decreased OT was observed in clinical (change in OT: -27.656 minutes; 95% CI: -33.449; -21.864; P<0.0001) and anatomical/perioperative (change in OT: -24.935 minutes; 95% CI: -30.562; -19.308; P<0.0001) models also in case of RARP with ePLND performed by HVS, independently by BMI, PV, PSA as well as for PW, seminal vesicle invasion, positive surgical margins, and BL.

CONCLUSIONS

In a tertiary academic referral center, OT decreased when RARP was performed by HVS, independently of adverse clinical and anatomical/perioperative factors. Available OT loads can be planned to optimize waiting lists, teaching tasks, operative costs, and surgeon's volume.

Predictors of Prolonged Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy and the Creation of a Scoring System for the Duration

Purpose

To identify the relevant factors, and create and validate a predictive scoring system for the duration of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP).

Patients and Methods

We retrospectively analyzed clinicopathological data from 436 patients who underwent LRP between January 2014 and January 2019, of whom 304 cases were used as a model creation group and 132 were used as a validation group. Uni/multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to determine the predictors of the duration of the procedure and a novel scoring system was created using these predictors. External validation of the scoring system was performed. The Hosmer–Lemeshow test was used to determine the goodness-of-fit of the model and calibration plots were created for visual assessment.

Results

“Prolonged duration” was defined as a duration of the procedure that was longer than the mean (>150 min) duration. Multivariate analysis showed that body mass index (BMI), prostate volume, intravesicular protrusion of the prostate (IPP), the ratio of the cross-sectional areas of the prostate and the Retzius space (P/R), pelvic lymph node dissection, and neurovascular bundle (NVB) preservation were significant predictors of prolonged duration. A scoring system that included these six parameters was created and the area under the curve achieved during receiver operating characteristic analysis using this scoring system was 0.874 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.836–0.913). The Hosmer–Lemeshow test showed that the scoring system was well calibrated (X²=5.339, P=0.376). The external validation showed that the model had high predictive accuracy (AUC=0.835, 95% CI: 0.764–0.906) and goodness-of-fit (X²=4.401, P=0.493).

Conclusion

The following factors were significantly associated with prolonged duration of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: BMI, prostate volume, IPP, P/R, pelvic lymph node dissection, and NVB preservation. The novel scoring system created can be used to accurately predict the duration of the procedure, assess the difficulty of surgery, and improve perioperative efficiency.

What factors affect the operative time of robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy?

BACKGROUND

Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) has gained prominence since the da Vinci surgical system was introduced in 2000. RARP has now become a standard procedure for treating cases with localized prostate cancer. However, no study has examined its surgical time by accurately measuring the pelvic visceral fat (PVF) volume. This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with prolonged console time and surgical difficulty by RARP surgeons.

METHODS

This study included 405 patients who underwent RARP between 2014 and 2019 at our institution. Given that the anatomical characteristics were considered to affect RARP, PVF and working space (WS) were estimated preoperatively by computed tomography using a 3D image analysis system. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the factors prolonging console time, such as body mass index (BMI), prostate volume, previous abdominal surgery, nerve-sparing procedure, PVF, and WS. We also investigated whether post-operative complications were associated with any of these factors.

RESULTS

Larger PVF (p = 0.028, odds ratio (OR) 1.43), smaller WS (p < 0.001, OR 2.48), and the nerve-sparing procedure (p = 0.037, OR 1.61) were statistically significant factors associated with prolonged console time. Furthermore, higher BMI (p = 0.013, OR 1.49) and smaller pelvic width (p < 0.001, OR 2.63) were the alternative and more practical factors associated with prolonged console time. The post-operative anastomotic leakage occurrence rate increased with the number of risk factors, while post-operative complications did not change even in high-risk cases.

CONCLUSION

PVF and WS are significant factors associated with prolonged console time in RARP cases. However, BMI can be as useful as PVF, since BMI significantly correlated with PVF. Additionally, pelvic width (PW) can be an alternative to WS, since PW correlated with WS. This study demonstrated that preoperative BMI and PW might predict the surgical risk and identify suitable RARP cases for novice surgeons.

Clinical factors affecting perioperative outcomes in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy

The present study investigated clinical factors affecting perioperative outcomes in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). The study included 625 Japanese cases treated with RARP between 2009 and 2017. The association between clinical factors (age, overweight status, prostate volume, clinical T-stage, nerve sparing, lympho-node dissection, and the number of experienced cases) and perioperative outcomes (operation time, estimated blood loss, catheterization duration, and perioperative complication) were analyzed. Results revealed that overweight status, prostate volume, lymph-node dissection, and the number of experienced cases were associated with operation time. For estimated blood loss, the identified risk factors were overweight status, prostate volume, nerve sparing, lymph-node dissection, and the number of experienced cases. Lymph-node dissection and the number of experienced cases were also associated with catheterization duration. Additionally, only lymph-node dissection was associated with increased perioperative complication. Taken together, the present study identified several clinical factors affecting perioperative outcomes in RARP. This information may help surgeons to estimate perioperative outcomes as well as to inform patients.

Influence of Morbid Obesity on Surgical Outcomes in Robotic-Assisted Gynecologic Surgery

Objective: The aim of this research was to estimate the impact of body mass index (BMI) on surgical outcomes in patients undergoing robotic-assisted gynecologic surgery. Materials and Methods: This study was a retrospective review of prospectively collected cohort data for a consecutive series of patients undergoing gynecologic robotic surgery in a single institution. BMI, expressed as kg/m2, was abstracted from the medical charts of all patients undergoing robotic hysterectomy. Data on estimated blood loss (EBL), hemoglobin (Hb) drop, procedure time, length of hospital stay, uterine weight, pain-medication use, and complications were also extracted. Results: Two hundred and eighty-one patients underwent robotic operations. Types of procedures were total hysterectomy with or without adnexal excision, and total hysterectomies with lymphadenectomies. Eighty-four patients who were classified as morbidly obese (BMI>35) were compared with 197 patients who had a BMI of<35 (nonmorbidly obese). For patients with BMI<35, and BMI>35, the mean BMI was 27.1 and 42.5 kg/m2 (p<0.05), mean age was 49 and 50 (p=0.45), mean total operative time was 222 and 266 minutes (p<0.05), console time 115 and 142 minutes (p<0.05), closing time (from undocking until port-site fascia closure) was 30 and 41 minutes (p<0.05), EBL was 67 and 79 mL (p=0.27), Hb drop was 1.6 and 1.4 (p=0.28), uterine weight was 196.2 and 227 g (p=0.52), pain-medication use 93.7 and 111 mg of morphine (p=0.46), and mean length of stay was 1.42 and 1.43 days (0.9), all respectively. No statistically significant difference was noted between the 2 groups for EBL, Hb drop, LOS, uterine weight, pain-medication use, or complications. The only statistically significant difference was seen in operating times and included docking, console, closing, and procedure times. There were no perioperative mortalities. Morbidity occurred in 24 patients (8%). In the morbidly obese group, there were 6 complications (7%) and, in the nonmorbidly obese group, there were 18 complications (9%). Conclusions: Morbid obesity does not appear to be associated with an increased risk of morbidity in patients undergoing robotically assisted gynecologic surgery. Morbid obesity is associated with increased procedure time, but otherwise appears to have no difference in outcomes. Robotic surgery offered an ideal approach, allowing minimally invasive surgery in these technically challenging patients, with no significant increase in morbidity. J GYNECOL SURG 30:81).

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy in men with metabolic syndrome

OBJECTIVES

Metabolic syndrome (MetS), the constellation of obesity and related risk factors for cardiovascular disease, is an expanding epidemiologic concern in the United States and the developed world. However, the relationship between MetS and prostate cancer remains to be definitively assessed. We evaluated the association between obesity and MetS with prostate cancer pathology and surgical and functional outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 2,639 patients underwent robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) for localized prostate cancer between March 2003 and July 2012. Of them, 186 patients met the criteria for MetS as defined by the presence of obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 30 kg/m(2)) in conjunction with 2 or more of the following: hypertension (HTN), dyslipidemia (D), and diabetes (DM). Additionally, reference cohorts of (1) 663 nonobese men without HTN, D, or DM; (2) 184 obese patients without HTN, D, or DM; and (3) 211 obese men with solitary risk factors were identified for comparison. Demographic, histopathologic, and perioperative clinical parameters were compared.

RESULTS

In comparison with patients without MetS, patients with MetS had larger prostates (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.609, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.04-2.49, P = 0.03), increased blood loss (OR = 1.592, 95% CI = 1.15-2.21, P = 0.01), and surgical complexity (OR = 4.940, 95% CI = 2.29-10.69, P<0.001). There was no statistical difference observed between these groups in regard to complication rates, pathologic grade, stage, and postoperative continence or erectile function. With the exception of larger prostates found among men with MetS, men with obesity alone and obesity with 1 additional risk factor appeared similar to those with MetS.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with MetS had similar perioperative, histopathologic, and functional outcomes compared with reference cohorts undergoing RALP. RALP is safe, feasible, and efficacious in men with MetS.

Laparoscopic urorectal fistula repair: value of the salvage prostatectomy and review of current approaches

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The surgical approach and repair for urorectal fistula (URF) is a challenging task. A variety of techniques have been described to treat URFs, and the laparoscopic approach has been approved as an efficient tool for even some complex fistulas. We aimed to report our laparoscopic experience for complex URF repair with special emphasis on salvage prostatectomy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study included four men (59-75 years), with laparoscopic repair for complex URFs. URF developed after transurethral resection of the prostate in patients 2 and 3 and after radical prostatectomy in patient 4. Patient 1 had received combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy for the rectal carcinoma; a prostatic abscess developed that resulted at the end in URF. Laparoscopic salvage prostatectomy was performed for patients 1 and 2. A transvesical laparoscopic approach was performed for patient 3, and a transperitoneal transvesical technique was performed for patient 4. A tunica vaginalis flap was used for patient 1, and peritoneal interposition flaps were developed in patients 2 and 4 mL, and no patients needed intraoperative blood transfusion. Postoperative hospital stay was 12 to 34 days. The urethral catheter was removed on postoperative day 11 to 32, and cystography showed no leakage of contrast except in patient 1.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic URF repair is safe and efficacious in experienced hands even in complex cases, and salvage laparoscopic prostatectomy seems like a valuable operative option. The technique requires advanced experience, however, particularly with pelvic surgery and intracorporeal suturing.