Interval from Prostate Biopsy to Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy (RALP): Effects on Surgical Difficulties

Purpose: Traditionally, an interval of 4 to 6 weeks has been recommended after prostate biopsy before open radical prostatectomy. However, such an interval is not explicitly specified in robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP). This study was designed to determine whether the interval from prostate biopsy to RALP affects surgical difficulties.

Materials and methods: Between January 2008 and May 2009, a total of 237 men underwent RALP in our institution. The interval from biopsy to RALP was categorized as follows: ≤ 2 weeks, >2 to ≤ 4 weeks, >4 to ≤ 6 weeks, >6 to ≤ 8 weeks, and >8 weeks. Multivariate analysis was used to identify whether the interval from prostate biopsy to RALP was an independent predictor of operative time, estimated blood loss (EBL), margin positivity, continence, and potency.

Results: Among the 5 groups, there were no significant differences in age, body mass index (BMI), preoperative serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA), prostate volume, or preoperative International Index of Erectile Dysfunction-5 score (all p>0.05). In the multivariate analysis, operative time was significantly associated with prostate volume. EBL was associated with prostate volume and BMI. Margin positivity was associated with preoperative serum PSA, prostate volume, and biopsy Gleason score. Postoperative continence and potency were significantly associated with age. However, in univariate and multivariate analyses, the interval from biopsy to RALP was not significantly associated with operative time, EBL, margin positivity, postoperative continence, or potency (all p>0.05).

Conclusions: Our data suggest that the interval from prostate biopsy to RALP is not related to surgical difficulties.