Robotic-assisted simple prostatectomy: is there evidence to go beyond the experimental stage?

Curr Urol Rep. 2014 Oct;15(10):443. doi: 10.1007/s11934-014-0443-0.

Abstract

Open simple prostatectomy (OSP) is an effective and durable treatment for select patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and large-volume prostate glands (>80 cc), yet is associated with clinically significant risk of bleeding, transfusion, prolonged hospital length of stay (LOS), and complications. Robotic-assisted simple prostatectomy (RASP) potentially reduces intraoperative blood loss and improves perioperative outcomes. Thirteen non-comparative series (Level 3 evidence) of RASP have established its safety and efficacy and have demonstrated substantially decreased risk of transfusion, complications, and mean LOS relative to published series of OSP, but with consistently longer operative times. Comparative outcomes data (Level 1 and Level 2 evidence), however, are relatively lacking. Thus, while RASP has advanced beyond the experimental stage, definitive outcomes studies are needed to establish its benefits and costs relative to OSP and transurethral surgery.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Blood Loss, Surgical*
  • Blood Transfusion
  • Humans
  • Length of Stay
  • Male
  • Operative Time
  • Postoperative Complications*
  • Prostatectomy*
  • Prostatic Hyperplasia / complications
  • Prostatic Hyperplasia / surgery*
  • Prostatism / etiology
  • Prostatism / surgery*
  • Robotic Surgical Procedures*
  • Treatment Outcome