Changing face of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy in Melbourne over 12 years

Elderly Patients' Outcomes After Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy: A Single Center Experience

Aim: To assess the oncological and functional outcomes of patients aged 70 years or older after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) and compare their results with younger men. Materials and Methods: Our study included 496 men who underwent RARP in our clinic between March 2015 and December 2021 with at least 1-year follow-up. Of these patients, 130 were aged 70 or older, and 366 were between 60 and 69. Preoperative characteristics, perioperative parameters, postoperative oncological, and functional results were studied. Results: The entire cohort (496 patients) aged 67 years on median (range 60-84), with a median prostate-specific antigen of 8.4 ng/mL. All the patients had a minimum 1-year of follow-up and the median follow-up was 32 months. According to the perioperative parameters, the two groups were similar except for hospital length of stay. On final pathology, the pathological stage, positive surgical margin rate and lymph node positivity were statistically not different between the two groups. The International Society of Urological Pathology grades were higher on final pathology for both groups, but this increase was greater in the ≥70 age group, and this was statistically significant (P = .013). In both groups, the median International Index for Erectile Function scores decreased after surgery significantly (P < .001), and at the 1st year follow-up, the decrease between the two groups was not different (0.973). Concerning continence outcomes, pad-free continence was significantly better in the 60-69 age group (94.5%) compared to the ≥70 age group (93.1%). Conclusions: The perioperative safety, oncological, and functional results of RARP in elderly men are comparable to younger patients. Clinical trial registiration number: (30/06/2022-13/24).

Single-port Extraperitoneal and Transperitoneal Radical Prostatectomy: A Multi-Institutional Propensity-Score Matched Study

OBJECTIVE

To compare the perioperative and early postoperative outcomes between single-port (SP) extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy (EPRP) and SP transperitoneal radical prostatectomy (TPRP), in a multi-institutional setting.

METHODS

We identified all patients who underwent SP robot-assisted radical prostatectomy at 6 different institutes. Data of 650 patients were collected and divided into 2 groups based on the surgical approach: SP EPRP or SP TPRP. A Propensity-score matched-pair analysis for body mass index (BMI), prostate size, and National Comprehensive Cancer Network risk was performed with a 1:1 ratio. Analysis of perioperative and postoperative outcomes was performed using Wilcoxon signed-rank test and chi-square and Fisher's exact tests.

RESULTS

After matching, 238 patients were included in each arm. The median follow-up period was 7 and 6 months for EPRP and TPRP groups, respectively. The total operative time was longer in the EPRP group (206 vs 155 minutes, P < .001). The EPRP group had a shorter length of hospitalization and same-day discharge rate compared to the TPRP approach (P < .001). There was no difference in the overall intraoperative or postoperative complications rate between the 2 groups, nor positive surgical margin rates.

CONCLUSION

The SP extraperitoneal approach is associated with a shorter hospital stay and higher rate of same-day discharge, with no difference in the surgical margin, or complication rates.

The performance and optimum cutoff value for pelvic cavity index as a predictor of early continence after extraperitoneal single-port robotic radical prostatectomy: Role of pelvic anatomical characteristics

PURPOSE

To assess the value of pelvic cavity index (PCI), as an objective pelvimetry feature, to predict operative time, margin status and early urine continence after extraperitoneal single-port robotic radical prostatectomy (RP). We sought to define an optimal cutoff point for PCI in predicting postoperative outcomes.

METHODS

Data on 94 patients who underwent extraperitoneal single-port robotic RP and had preoperative cross-sectional imaging were enrolled. PCI was calculated as (Pelvic inlet diameter×Pelvic outlet diameter)/(Pelvic depth). The predictive value of PCI on operative time, surgical margin status and 3-month urinary continence recovery was assessed using regression models. To report the optimum cutoff value, on ROC analysis, we calculated the performance of PCI cutoff points ranging from 5.56 to 10.80 cm by every 0.01 increment.

RESULTS

No significant associations were noted between clinical characteristics (including PCI) and operative time. Similarly, other than pathological stage, no clinical variables (including PCI) were predictive of positive surgical margin. However, a higher PCI was associated with a significantly higher rates of continence 3-month after surgery (OR 2.44 (1.75 - 5.33); p= 0.01). On ROC- analysis, a PCI cutoff value=8.21 cm yielded the best accuracy (AUC= 0.733, %95 CI 0.615-0.851; p=0.001). No association was noted between variables and 6-month continence rate.

CONCLUSION

Using a single-port robotic system, operative time, positive surgical margin rate and long-term continence after prostatectomy would be independent of bony pelvis cavity. However, a higher PCI is associated with a higher rate of early continence after the surgery. PCI at a cutoff of 8.21 cm has the optimum performance to predict postoperative urine continence recovery. If validated, this information may be helpful regarding patient counseling before single-port robotic RP.

Surgeon Experience and Erectile Function After Radical Prostatectomy: A Systematic Review

INTRODUCTION

Erectile dysfunction is a common consequence after radical prostatectomy (RP) affecting psychosocial well-being and quality of life. As the RP surgical technique is complex, it is reasonable to propose that the experience of the surgeon could influence the postoperative erectile function (EF) outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

To undertake a systematic review to investigate whether the surgeon's experience affects the patient's ability to regain EF after RP.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was performed in April 2020 using Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and psychINFO. All relevant English research studies investigating the topic area were included, with experience being defined as both cumulative RP and average RP annual surgical caseload.

RESULTS

The main outcome measure is EF after RP stratified by surgeon experience (annual case load or cumulative case volume). Ten case-control studies published between 2003 and 2020 met the inclusion criteria and were chosen for this systematic review. The included studies consisted of both single- and multiple-surgeon studies. Studies that compared annual RP caseload per surgeon demonstrated a difference between high- and low-volume surgeons, only when high volume was >25 RP cases/year. In the studies reporting cumulative case volume (learning curve), differences between high volume and low volume were only identified when the total case volume was approximately 1000 RP cases. Studies with low-volume cases (approximately 100) did not show any differences in EF outcomes.

CONCLUSION

The studies examined in our systematic review demonstrate that an annual surgeon caseload of >25 RP cases per year or total cumulative experience of >1000 RP cases results in better EF outcomes after RP. Ju IE, Trieu D, Chang SB, et al. Surgeon Experience and Erectile Function After Radical Prostatectomy: A Systematic Review. Sex Med Rev 2020;XX:XXX-XXX.

Oncologic and patient-reported outcomes after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy in men aged ≥75 years

OBJECTIVE

The present study aimed to evaluate oncologic outcomes, patient-reported outcomes (PROs), and frailty in older adult patients aged ≥75 years who underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study reviewed the medical records of 752 patients who underwent RARP from July 2011 to May 2020. The PROs were evaluated by Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite questionnaire at baseline and 1 year after RARP. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to age at RARP: <70, 70-74, and ≥75 years. Oncologic outcomes and PROs were compared between the ≥75 and 70-74 years groups and between the ≥75 and <70 years groups.

RESULTS

Median follow up was 47 months. Of the 752 patients, 469, 216, and 74 were classified into the <70, 70-74, and ≥75 years groups, respectively. No significant differences were observed in the biochemical recurrence-free survival, cancer-specific survival, and overall survival among the groups. No significant differences were observed in the PROs and pad-free rates at baseline and 1 year after RARP among the groups. The full satisfaction (Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite score = 100) at 12 months after RARP was significantly higher in the ≥75 years group (27%) than in the <70 years group (15%, P = 0.045).

CONCLUSION

The oncologic outcomes and PROs in select patients with prostate cancer aged ≥75 years were feasible and acceptable with RARP.

Historical Considerations and Surgical Quality Improvement in Robotic Prostatectomy

Laparoscopic prostatectomy was technically challenging and not widely adopted. Robotics led to the widespread adoption of minimally invasive prostatectomy, which has been used heavily, supplanting the open and traditional laparoscopic approach. The benefits of robotic prostatectomy are disputed. Data suggest that robotic prostatectomy outcomes have improved over time.

Sexual function outcomes following interventions for prostate cancer: are contemporary reports on functional outcomes misleading?

Patients with primary localised prostate cancer (PCa) have a wide choice of curative therapeutic interventions, including active surveillance, surgical, focal and radiation therapies. Based on clinical and oncological characteristics, treatment decisions entail consideration of oncological and functional outcomes with important effects on quality of life. We aimed to highlight evidence surrounding present inconsistencies, the problems this presents to clinicians and patients alike and the rationale for using return to baseline as a more realistic and objective functional outcome measure for assessing sexual function in this particularly sensitive group of men. We performed a non-systematic literature review of numerous non-validated, arbitrary thresholds employed in evaluation of sexual function outcomes in men undergoing intervention for primary localised PCa. The literature presents much heterogeneity in measurement methods and outcome measures, which lack context and present difficulties when counselling patients to make informed, autonomous decisions. These include findings from the most widely used internationally validated tools, such as the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), UCLA prostate cancer index and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core-30 (QLQ-C30). There is a need for standardisation of reporting outcomes following PCa treatment to facilitate evaluation of existing and emerging technologies.

Prediction of pathological stage at radical prostatectomy: do commonly used prostate cancer nomograms apply to men from Far North Queensland?

BACKGROUND

Clinical nomograms are routinely used by urologists to predict pathological and clinical outcomes. Commonly used prostate cancer nomograms include Partin's tables and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre (MSKCC) nomograms which were developed in high-volume centres in the United States. We aimed to assess whether these tools are valid for prostate cancer patients in Far North Queensland.

METHODS

All patients undergoing radical prostatectomy in Cairns between August 2014 and September 2017 were identified. Preoperative data were entered into the online nomogram tools. The predicted probability of organ-confined (OC) disease, extra-prostatic extension (EPE) and seminal vesical invasion was compared to the observed outcomes.

RESULTS

Preoperative clinical information was available for 290 patients. Partin's tables accurately estimated OC disease, EPE and seminal vesical invasion with the observed outcome plot overlying the ideal correlation curve. More patients in our cohort had OC disease than was predicted by the MSKCC nomogram; fewer patients had EPE that was predicted by the MSKCC nomogram. On logistic regression modelling, the area under the curve for MSKCC and Partin's were 0.751 and 0.706, respectively, suggesting both tests have good performance in predicting final pathological outcome for our population of patients with no statistical difference between the two nomograms (P = 0.29).

CONCLUSION

The MSKCC preoperative nomogram and Partin's tables were both able to accurately predict pathological outcomes from preoperative clinical information in men from Far North Queensland, despite likely differences in population genetics and environmental exposures.