Safety and feasibility of salvage robot-assisted radical prostatectomy for recurrent prostate cancer.

Abstract

e15171 Background: The safety and feasibility of salvage robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (sRARP) for recurrent prostate cancer is unclear. Herein we report short-term cancer control, functional, and perioperative outcomes in a multi-institutional cohort. Methods: Between July 2007 and October 2011, 38 consecutive men underwent sRARP for recurrent prostate cancer at the University of Southern California (n=14) or Global Robotics Institute (n=24). Failed primary therapy was varied (external beam radiotherapy [EBRT; n=14]; interstitial brachytherapy [IBT; n=11]; EBRT + IBT [n=5]; high-intensity focused ultrasound [n=3]; cryoablation [n=3]; other [n=2]). The main outcomes were immediate biochemical failure (IBF), positive surgical margins (PSM), urinary continence and erectile function at 3 months, and complications within 90 days of surgery. Immediate biochemical failure was defined as a PSA > 0.2 ng/ml. Urinary continence was defined as the use of no pads and erectile function was defined as a SHIM score > 21. Complications were classified and graded using the Clavien system. Results: The median age was 68 years (50-83 years) and median preoperative PSA was 4.1 ng/ml (0.4-15.2 ng/ml). Preoperative biopsy Gleason score was ≤6 (n=7), 7 (n=18), and ≥8 (n=12). All procedures were completed without the need for open conversion. No patient experienced an intra-operative complication. Median estimated blood loss was 100 ml (30-300 ml) and operative time was 1.5 h (1-6h). Median length of hospital stay was 1 day (1-7 days). The median duration of urethral catheterization was 12 days (4-48 days). IBF occurred in 9 (29%) patients and PSM occurred in 7 (18%) patients. Urinary continence and erectile function occurred in 9 (34%) and 0 patients, respectively. One or more postoperative complications occurred in 12 (31%) patients. Low grade (I-II) and high grade (III-IV) complications occurred in 8 (21%) and 4 (10%) patients, respectively. No patient died. Conclusions: Salvage robot-assisted radical prostatectomy is safe and feasible. Short-term cancer control and perioperative morbidity were acceptable; however, functional recovery was poor. To date, this is the largest series worldwide.