MINIMAL ACCESS RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY: HOW IS IT SHAPING UP?

Robotic-assisted perineal versus transperitoneal radical prostatectomy: A matched-pair analysis

OBJECTIVE

We compared the outcomes of robotic-assisted radical perineal prostatectomy (r-PRP) versus robotic-assisted transperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RARP).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Between November 2016 and September 2017 in our center, 40 patients underwent r-PRP, and 40 patients underwent RARP. All patients also underwent multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) to exclude the cases with locally advanced disease. Patients with localized prostate cancer (C-T2N0M0) were included in the study. The exclusion criteria were contraindications for undergoing robotic radical prostatectomy; the Gleason score ≥4+3; extracapsular extension proven on biopsy or suspected on mpMRI; clinical stage ≥T2c; required pelvic lymph dissection according to Partin's normogram; previous radiation therapy; hormonal therapy; any previous prostatic, urethral, or bladder neck surgery; and preoperative urinary incontinence or erectile dysfunction. Patients were placed in the exaggerated lithotomy position with 15° Trendelenburg for r-PRP and 40° Trendelenburg for RARP.

RESULTS

The mean age for the r-PRP and RARP groups were 61.2 (46-73) and 62.2 (50-75) years, respectively. The mean body mass index was significantly higher in the r-PRP group (p=0.02). The mean procedure duration time was 169.4 (100-255) minutes for the r-PRP group and 173.1 (130-210) minutes for the RARP group. The mean console time and anastomosis time were significantly lower for the r-PRP group. The mean estimated blood loss was significantly lower for the r-PRP group (p=0.002). Immediate continence rates in the r-PRP and RARP groups following the urethral catheter removal were 42% and 35% (p=0.30), respectively. Continence rates increased to 94.2% in the r-PRP and 72% in RARP (p=0.001) group at the 6^th month, and to 95% in the r-PRP and 85.2% in RARP (p=0.02) group at the 9th month follow-up period. According to the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5), the erectile function rates at the 3-, 6-, and 9-month follow-up in the r-PRP group were 44%, 66%, and 75%, respectively. The rates in the RARP group at the 3-, 6-, and 9-month follow-up were 25%, 42%, and 66% (p=0.001), respectively.

CONCLUSION

In our experience, r-PRP has acceptable morbidity, excellent surgical and pathological outcomes, and satisfactory oncologic and functional results compared to RARP.

Robot-assisted radical perineal prostatectomy: first experience of 15 cases

Objective

Minimally invasive techniques are increasingly evolving and preferred to reduce surgical induced morbidity and mortality and minimize the challenges of surgical techniques. Especially radical perineal prostatectomy (RPP) includes some challenges like working in a deep and narrow space and challenging ergonomics for the surgeons. Because of these issues open RPP is still performed in experienced centers. In order to reduce these difficulties, robot- assisted radical perineal prostatectomy (r-RPP) is developed. In this study, we report our first clinical results for r-RPP.

Material and methods

Between November 2016 and February 2017, 15 patients underwent r-RPP in our center. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging was performed for all patients to exclude locally advanced disease. The patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and locally advanced prostate cancer were not chosen for r-RPP method. The patient was positioned in the exaggerated lithotomy with 15 degrees of Trendelenburg position. After incision and dissection of subcutaneous tissue, dissection was advanced to the margin of posterior recto-urethral muscle fibers. Then a GelPOINT^® device was placed and robotic system was docked.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 60.2±7.8 years. The mean body mass index of the patients was 28.8±1.9 kg/m². Four patients had previous major abdominal surgeries. Preoperative mean prostate specific antigen value was 7.3±2.4 ng/mL. The mean prostate volume was 40.8±12.4 cc. Mean perineal dissection time was 60±10.1 minutes. Mean console time and total operation time was 95±11.3 and 167±37.4 minutes, respectively. The mean time of postoperative catheterization was 8.3±1.7 days. Early continence rate was 40% after urethral catheter removal and at 3rd month of the surgery mean continence rate was 94% for all patients.

Conclusion

We demonstrate that r-RPP is a feasible and efficient method. But still this method needs for further studies in this area.

A single institution study on patient's self-reporting appraisal and functional outcomes of the first set of men following radical perineal prostatectomy

Introduction

This study evaluates the functional outcomes and satisfaction of an initial series of 47 patients after radical perineal prostatectomy performed in our department.

Material and methods

The first set of 47 consecutive patients underwent perineal prostatectomy during 2008 and 2009. Continence, sexual outcomes, and satisfaction of the treatment were evaluated using a self-reporting questionnaire, which was mailed to all patients after 15 to 33 months of follow-up. 26 patients (55.3%) returned a completed form and participated in the study. Additionally, final outcomes were compared to results reported elsewhere.

Results

Amid respondents, 91.7% were satisfied with the chosen treatment and 8.3% regret the previous decision. 38.5% patients reported any urine leakage, 15.4% drip up to 100 ml a day, and only one patient (3.8%) was totally incontinent. 76.9% men report a decline in prior sexual function. Six patients (23.1%) patients have any degree of spontaneous erections and undertake sexual activity. However, as erectile outcomes are adjusted to nine nerve-sparing cases, 66.7% have spontaneous erections and 55.5% undertake sexual activity, but only 40% of them describe their sexual function as satisfying.

Conclusions

Our survey demonstrates that, because of short operating time, fast recovery, low postoperative pain score, early patient mobilization and feeding, and a small (8-10 cm) and inconspicuous skin incision, radical perineal prostatectomy fully deserves to be recognized as a low-morbidity procedure. The perineal approach provides a quality of life and patients satisfaction rate comparable to trendy, highly equipped procedures and emerges as an attractive alternative to them. Even novice “perineal surgeons” may achieve favorable results.

Radical perineal prostatectomy - the contemporary resurgence of a genuinely minimally invasive procedure: Procedure outline. Comparison of the advantages, disadvantages, and outcomes of different surgical techniques of treating organ-confined prostate cancer (PCa). A literature review with special focus on perineal prostatectomy

INTRODUCTION

Surgery plays a central role in the management of organ-confined prostate cancer (PCa). Four types of prostatectomy are currently practiced: perineal, retropubic, laparoscopic, and robot-assisted. The qualification criteria for all types are similar. Radical perineal prostatectomy (RPP) was the first method introduced into clinical practice, however, it has been neglected in favor of other procedures. Its resurgence has been facilitated by a multitude of advantages. Unfortunately, nowadays most urologists are not familiar with the perineal approach though many centers have begun to implement it.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This manuscript presents the technique of RPP used in the author's institution. It also reviews a vast body of literature on the four techniques of prostatectomy including their advantages and outcomes. The data was collected from the literature and medical databases.

CONCLUSION

RPP proves to be a very efficacious, cost-effective treatment option for localized PCa. The outcomes of RPP, as defined by continence, potency, and complication rate, are equivalent to those accomplished by other methods.

Cancer control, continence, and potency after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy beyond the learning and discovery curves

PURPOSE

To investigate the results of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) beyond the learning and discovery curves of 700 patients previously reported by the authors for potency.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Five hundred consecutive patients underwent LRP during a 28-month period with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. Median age (with range) = 61.0 (33-76) years; prostate-specific antigen level = 7.0 (1-37); biopsy Gleason sum = 7 (4-10). Clinical stage was T1 in 41.0%, T2 in 54.2%, and T3 in 4.8%. Nerve preservation (NP) was performed bilaterally in 57.9%, unilaterally in 15.3%, and on neither side in 26.8%.

RESULTS

Median operative time was 157 (91-331) minutes, with no conversions or intraoperative blood transfusions; 0.4% of patients received a transfusion postoperatively, and 4.2% had complications. There were no rectal injuries. The overall positive margin rate was 13.0% and correlated with pathologic parameters. At a minimum of 1 year follow-up (mean=13.5 (12-36) mos), overall survival was 100%, and biochemical disease-free survival was 98.8%. The pad-free rate was 97.4%. Potency (International Index of Erectile Function-5 score ≥17) at a mean follow-up of 13.5 months in previously potent men in their 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th decades after bilateral NP was 100.0%, 91.8%, 82.9%, and 60.0% and after unilateral NP was 100%, 66.7%, 50.1%, and 0.0%. Overall potency after bilateral neurovascular bundle NVB preservation was 86.9%.

CONCLUSION

LRP is capable of matching or exceeding the best results for open radical prostatectomy and robot-assisted radical prostatectomy when performed by an experienced surgeon in a high-volume setting. These results suggest that the method used to perform radical prostatectomy is a less important determinant of success than surgical experience.

Technical description and outcomes of a continuous anastomosis in open radical prostatectomy

OBJECTIVE

To describe the surgical technique, objective and subjective medium-term outcomes of a novel continuous vesico-urethral anastomotic suture in open radical prostatectomy (ORP).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A continuous anastomosis comprising separate anterior and posterior monofilament 3-0 polydioxanone sutures, with the bladder neck 'parachuted' down on to the urethral stump, was used in 39 consecutive patients. A cystogram was taken after ORP in the first 23 patients. The catheter was removed as soon as patients were fully mobile. A validated postal questionnaire to determine continence and its effect on quality of life was sent to all patients ≥3 months after ORP.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up was 18 months; there were no major complications. There was an insignificant or no leak in 91% of the patients who had a cystogram. Before discharge, 33 patients reported that they were continent, whilst five required a pad(s) for stress incontinence, and one was discharged with a catheter after failing the first catheter removal. Of the 95% who completed the questionnaire, 95% either did not leak urine, or only leaked a small amount; 84% of patients reported that leaking had a minimal effect on everyday life. No patients developed symptomatic urethral or bladder neck stricture/contracture.

CONCLUSIONS

Our technique of continuous anastomotic suturing for ORP is safe, reliable and well tolerated. Further randomized studies are warranted to compare the outcome with the standard interrupted vesico-urethral anastomosis.

The first 1000 cases of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy in the UK: evidence of multiple 'learning curves'

OBJECTIVE

To report the initial experience of one surgeon, with contemporary experience of both open radical prostatectomy (ORP) and reconstructive laparoscopy, in laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) in 1000 patients, and to investigate the rate of change of various outcome variables for this procedure with time.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between March 2000 and December 2007, 1000 consecutive patients with clinical stage T < or = 3aN0M0 prostate cancer underwent LRP, either supervised (17%) or performed (83%), by one surgeon. The median prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level was 7.0 (1-50) ng/mL and median Gleason sum 6 (4-10); the clinical stage was T1 in 46.9%, T2 in 49.8% and T3 in 3.3%.

RESULTS

The median (range) operative duration was 177 (78-600) min. There was one conversion (patient 8) to open surgery. The median blood loss was 200 (10-1300) mL and four patients were transfused (0.4%). The median postoperative hospital stay was 3.0 (3-28) nights. The median catheterization time was 10.0 (0.8-120) days. There were 48 complications (4.8%) requiring surgical intervention in 33 (3.3%) patients, 58% of these as a day-case admission. The positive margin rates according to d'Amico risk groups were: low, 9.1%; intermediate, 20.3%; and high, 36.8%. The overall positive margin rate was 13.3%. The PSA level was < or =0.1 mg/L at 3 months in 99.1% of patients. At a mean follow-up of 27.7 (3-72) months, 96.1% of patients were free of biochemical recurrence. In patients with a follow-up of > or =24 months potency rates peaked in the series at 86% for all men and 94% for men aged < or =65 years, and continence rates at 98% before declining thereafter in men with a shorter follow-up.

CONCLUSION

The learning curve for operating time and blood loss was overcome within the first 100-150 cases, but complication and continence rates took 150-200 cases to reach a plateau. The longest learning curve was for potency, which did not stabilize until 700 cases. These learning curves are likely to be considerably shorter when surgeons are taught in departments with a high throughput of cases but both surgeons and patients should be aware of them. In view of these findings, the authors recommend that LRP should not be self-taught and should be learned within an immersion teaching programme. Even then, a large surgical volume is likely to be needed to maintain clinical outcomes at the highest level.