Retzius-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy in a medium size oncological center holds adequate oncological and functional outcomes

Abstract

Retzius-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RS-RARP) has emerged as a surgical option for patients with prostatic cancer in high-volume centers. The objective is to assess oncological and functional outcomes when implementing RS-RARP in a medium-volume center without previous experience of robotic surgery. This is a prospective observational single-center study. Patients operated between July 2017 and April 2020 were divided into two consecutive groups, A and B, each with 104 patients. The surgeons had prior experience in laparoscopic surgery and underwent robotic training. Positive surgical margin (PSM) status, urinary continence, and erectile function projected by Kaplan–Meier curves, together with patient reported quality of life outcomes at 12 months post-surgery were documented. Median patient age was 63 years (IQR = 59–67), overall PSM rate were 33%, 28% for pT2 disease. Pre-operative values showed no significant difference between both groups. The rate of urinary continence dropped from 81 to 78% (SE = 5.7) (Group A) and from 90 to 72% (SE = 6.3) (Group B) using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form. Baseline sexual function was regained in 41% (Group A) and 47% (Group B) of patients. The median Expanded Prostate Index Composite-26 total score decreased from 86 to 82. These outcomes relate favorably to prior reports. There was a clinically significant decrease in median operative time in the successive groups with post-operative complications occurring in less than 2% of surgical procedures overall. A 12-month follow-up suggests that RS-RARP may be safely introduced in a medium-volume center without previous experience of robotic surgery.