Impact of Obesity on Perioperative and Clinical Outcomes After Robotic Assisted Radical Prostatectomy

Sci Rep. 2025 Jan 2;15(1):225. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-82003-8.

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of obesity on robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) outcomes. This study included 120 obese patients [body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m²] and 124 normal weight (BMI ≤ 25 kg/m²)] patients from a total of 750 patients who underwent RARP between January 2017 and March 2023. The perioperative and long-term oncological and functional outcomes were also analyzed. No significant differences were observed between the groups regarding age, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, or International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grade distribution (p > 0.05). The obese group had significantly longer median surgical times, vesicourethral anastomosis times, hospital stays and drain removal times compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The control group demonstrated significantly better continence recovery rate at the 1st month and erectile dysfunction (ED) recovery rate at the 12th month (p < 0.05). Bilateral nerve sparing (OR: 16.59; p < 0.001) and the preoperative IIEF score (OR: 1.29; p < 0.001) were identified as independent predictors of ED recovery in the multivariable logistic regression model. Bilateral nerve sparing (OR: 3.00; p < 0.001) and the absence of metabolic syndrome (OR: 2.03; p < 0.05) were found to be independent predictors of early continence recovery. There were no differences in systemic progression or overall survival at a median follow-up of 24 months (p > 0.05). While obesity adversely impacts perioperative outcomes, short-term continence recovery rates, and mid-term ED recovery rates, it does not affect mid-term oncological outcomes after RARP.

Keywords: Metabolic syndrome; Obesity; Prostate cancer; Radical prostatectomy; Robotic-assisted.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Body Mass Index
  • Erectile Dysfunction / etiology
  • Humans
  • Length of Stay
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity* / complications
  • Obesity* / surgery
  • Operative Time
  • Postoperative Complications / epidemiology
  • Postoperative Complications / etiology
  • Prostatectomy* / adverse effects
  • Prostatectomy* / methods
  • Prostatic Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Robotic Surgical Procedures* / adverse effects
  • Robotic Surgical Procedures* / methods
  • Treatment Outcome