Skip to main content

Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Minimally Invasive Urology

Abstract

In the field of oncologic urologic surgery, robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) represents the main application of the robotic approach. RARP is currently the leading urologic use of the da Vinci system, and more than 80 % of the radical prostatectomies performed in the USA in 2011 were carried out by robot-assisted surgery. Indications for RARP are the same with those for radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP), and RARP has also been described as a salvage surgical treatment after radiotherapy (RT), brachytherapy, and high-intensity focused ultrasound. Under an oncological point of view, RARP offers at least the same results of RRP also in higher-risk patients. Extended lymph node dissection yielding a reasonably high number of lymph nodes is feasible during RARP. The mean complication rate of RARP is 9 % (range, 3–26 %). Twelve-month urinary incontinence rates after RARP range from 4 to 31 %, with significant advantage in favor of RARP in comparison with RRP and laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. RARP is associated with an incidence of 12- and 24-month erectile dysfunction ranging from 10 to 46 % and from 6 to 37 %, respectively. A significant advantage in favor of RARP in comparison with RRP in terms of 12 months’ potency rates has been observed. Concomitant good oncological, continence, and potency outcomes define the concept of “trifecta.”

This chapter presents the technique for RARP described by Patel, which introduces some differences from the standard laparoscopic and robotic technique described previously.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 109.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Hemal AK, Menon M. Robotics in urology. Curr Opin Urol. 2004;14(2):89–93.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Babbar P, Hemal AK. Robot-assisted urologic surgery in 2010 – advancements and future outlook. Urol Ann. 2011;3(1):1–7.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  3. Piechaud P. State of the art: urologic surgery. J Visc Surg. 2011;148(5 Suppl):e27–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Patel VR, Coelho RF, Chauhan S, Orvieto MA, Palmer KJ, Rocco B, et al. Continence, potency and oncological outcomes after robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy: early trifecta results of a high-volume surgeon. BJU Int. 2010;106(5):696–702.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Binder J, Kramer W. Robotically-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. BJU Int. 2001;87(4):408–10.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. American Urological Association guidelines 2007 (reviewed and validity confirmed 2011). Web Site. http://www.auanet.org/content/clinical-practice-guidelines/clinical-guidelines/main-reports/proscan07/content.pdf.

  7. Heidenreich A, Bellmunt J, Bolla M, Joniau S, Mason M, Matveev V, et al. EAU guidelines on prostate cancer. Part 1: screening, diagnosis, and treatment of clinically localised disease. Eur Urol. 2011;59:61–71.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Patel VR, Shah KK, Thaly RK, Lavery H. Robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: the Ohio State University technique. J Robot Surg. 2007;1:51–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Guillonneau B, Vallancien G. Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: the Montsouris technique. J Urol. 2000;163:1643.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Pasticier G, Rietbergen JBW, Guillonneau B, Fromont G, Menon M, Vallancien G. Robotically assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: feasibility study in men. Eur Urol. 2001;40:70–4.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Van Velthoven RF, Ahlering TE, Peltier A, Skarecky DW, Clayman RV. Technique for laparoscopic running urethrovesical anastomosis: the single knot method. Urology. 2003;61(4):699–702.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Patel VR, Coelho RF, Palmer KJ, Rocco B. Periurethral suspension stitch during robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: description of the technique and continence outcomes. Eur Urol. 2009;56(3):472–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Lin VC, Coughlin G, Savamedi S, Palmer KJ, Coelho RF, Patel VR. Modified transverse plication for bladder neck reconstruction during robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy. BJU Int. 2009;104(6):878–81.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Rocco F, Carmignani L, Acquati P, Gadda F, Dell’Orto P, Rocco B, et al. Restoration of posterior aspect of rhabdosphincter shortens continence time after radical retropubic prostatectomy. J Urol. 2006;175(6):2201–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Rocco B, Gregori A, Stener S, Santoro L, Bozzola A, Galli S, et al. Posterior reconstruction of the rhabdosphincter allows a rapid recovery of continence after transperitoneal videolaparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Eur Urol. 2007;51(4):996–1003.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Coughlin G, Dangle PP, Patil NN, Palmer KJ, Woolard J, Jensen C, et al. Surgery illustrated – focus on details. Modified posterior reconstruction of the rhabdosphincter: application to robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy. BJU Int. 2008;102(10):1482–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Coelho RF, Chauhan S, Orvieto MA, Sivaraman A, Palmer KJ, Coughlin G, et al. Influence of modified posterior reconstruction of the rhabdosphincter on early recovery of continence and anastomotic leakage rates after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. Eur Urol. 2011;59(1):72–80.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Walz J, Burnett AL, Costello AJ, Eastham JA, Graefen M, Guillonneau B, et al. A critical analysis of the current knowledge of surgical anatomy related to optimization of cancer control and preservation of continence and erection in candidates for radical prostatectomy. Eur Urol. 2010;57:179–92.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Rocco B, Cozzi G, Spinelli MG, Coelho RF, Patel VR, Tewari A, et al. Posterior musculofascial reconstruction after radical prostatectomy: a systematic review of the literature. Eur Urol. 2012;62(5):779–90.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Mattei A, Fuechsel FG, Bhatta Dhar N, Warncke SH, Thalmann GN, Krause T, et al. The template of the primary lymphatic landing sites of the prostate should be revisited: results of a multimodality mapping study. Eur Urol. 2008;53(1):118–25.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Montorsi F, Wilson TG, Rosen RC, Ahlering TE, Artibani W, Carroll PR, et al. Best practices in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: recommendations of the pasadena consensus panel. Eur Urol. 2012;62(3):368–81.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Feicke A, Baumgartner M, Talimi S, Schmid DM, Seifert HH, Müntener M, et al. Robotic-assisted laparoscopic extended pelvic lymph node dissection for prostate cancer: surgical technique and experience with the first 99 cases. Eur Urol. 2009;55(4):876–83.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Ham WS, Park SY, Rha KH, Kim WT, Choi YD. Robotic radical prostatectomy for patients with locally advanced prostate cancer is feasible: results of a single-institution study. J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A. 2009;19(3):329–32.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Menon M, Shrivastava A, Bhandari M, Satyanarayana R, Siva S, Agarwal PK. Vattikuti Institute prostatectomy: technical modifications in 2009. Eur Urol. 2009;56(1):89–96.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Novara G, Ficarra V, Mocellin S, Ahlering TE, Carroll PR, Graefen M, et al. Systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting oncologic outcome after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. Eur Urol. 2012;62(3):382–404.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Chung JS, Kim WT, Ham WS, Yu HS, Chae Y, Chung SH, et al. Comparison of oncological results, functional outcomes, and complications for transperitoneal versus extraperitoneal robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: a single surgeon’s experience. J Endourol. 2011;25(5):787–92.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Coelho RF, Chauhan S, Guglielmetti GB, Orvieto MA, Sivaraman A, Palmer KJ, et al. Does the presence of median lobe affect outcomes of robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy? J Endourol. 2012;26(3):264–70.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Patel VR, Schatloff O, Chauhan S, Sivaraman A, Valero R, Coelho RF, et al. The role of the prostatic vasculature as a landmark for nerve sparing during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. Eur Urol. 2012;61(3):571–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Roach 3rd M, Hanks G, Thames Jr H, Schellhammer P, Shipley WU, Sokol GH, et al. Defining biochemical failure following radiotherapy with or without hormonal therapy in men with clinically localized prostate cancer: recommendations of the RTOG-ASTRO Phoenix Consensus Conference. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2006;65(4):965–74.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Eandi JA, Link BA, Nelson RA, Josephson DY, Lau C, Kawachi MH, et al. Robotic assisted laparoscopic salvage prostatectomy for radiation resistant prostate cancer. J Urol. 2010;183(1):133–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Kimura M, Mouraviev V, Tsivian M, Mayes JM, Satoh T, Polascik TJ. Current salvage methods for recurrent prostate cancer after failure of primary radiotherapy. BJU Int. 2010;105(2):191–201.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Kaouk JH, Hafron J, Goel R, Haber GP, Jones JS. Robotic salvage retropubic prostatectomy after radiation/brachytherapy: initial results. BJU Int. 2008;102(1):93–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Chen BT, Wood Jr DP. Salvage prostatectomy in patients who have failed radiation therapy or cryotherapy as primary treatment for prostate cancer. Urology. 2003;62 Suppl 1:69–78.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Nguyen PL, D’Amico AV, Lee AK, Suh WW. Patient selection, cancer control, and complications after salvage local therapy for postradiation prostate-specific antigen failure: a systematic review of the literature. Cancer. 2007;110(7):1417–28.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Freedland SJ, Humphreys EB, Mangold LA, Eisenberger M, Dorey FJ, Walsh PC, et al. Risk of prostate cancer-specific mortality following biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy. JAMA. 2005;294(4):433–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Zagars GK, Pollack A. Kinetics of serum prostate-specific antigen after external beam radiation for clinically localized prostate cancer. Radiother Oncol. 1997;44(3):213–21.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Zelefsky MJ, Ben-Porat L, Scher HI, Chan HM, Fearn PA, Fuks ZY, et al. Outcome predictors for the increasing PSA state after definitive external-beam radiotherapy for prostate cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2005;23(4):826–31.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Rogers E, Ohori M, Kassabian VS, Wheeler TM, Scardino PT. Salvage radical prostatectomy: outcome measured by serum prostate specific antigen levels. J Urol. 1995;153(1):104–10.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Jamal K, Challacombe B, Elhage O, Popert R, Kirby R, Dasgupta P. Successful salvage robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy after external beam radiotherapy failure. Urology. 2008;72(6):1356–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Chauhan S, Patel MB, Coelho R, Liss M, Rocco B, Sivaraman AK, et al. Preliminary analysis of the feasibility and safety of salvage robot-assisted radical prostatectomy after radiation failure: multi-institutional perioperative and short-term functional outcomes. J Endourol. 2011;25(6):1013–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Coelho RF, Rocco B, Patel MB, Orvieto MA, Chauhan S, Ficarra V, et al. Retropubic, laparoscopic, and robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: a critical review of outcomes reported by high-volume centers. J Endourol. 2010;24(12):2003–15.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  42. Silberstein JL, Su D, Glickman L, Kent M, Keren-Paz G, Vickers AJ, et al. A case-mix-adjusted comparison of early oncological outcomes of open and robotic prostatectomy performed by experienced high volume surgeons. BJU Int. 2013;111:206–12.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  43. Rocco B, Cozzi G, Spinelli MG, Grasso A, Varisco D, Coelho RF, et al. Current status of salvage robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy for radiorecurrent prostate cancer. Curr Urol Rep. 2012;13(3):195–201.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. D’Amico AV, Whittington R, Malkowicz SB, Schultz D, Blank K, Broderick GA, et al. Biochemical outcome after radical prostatectomy, external beam radiation therapy, or interstitial radiation therapy for clinically localized prostate cancer. JAMA. 1998;280:969–74.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Ficarra V, Wiklund PN, Rochat CH, Dasgupta P, Challacombe BJ, Sooriakumaran P, et al. The European Association of Urology Robotic Urology Section (ERUS) survey of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). BJU Int. 2013;111(4):596–603.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Novara G, Ficarra V, Rosen RC, Artibani W, Costello A, Eastham JA, et al. Systematic review and meta-analysis of perioperative outcomes and complications after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. Eur Urol. 2012;62(3):431–52.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Agarwal PK, Sammon J, Bhandari A, Dabaja A, Diaz M, Dusik-Fenton S, et al. Safety profile of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: a standardized report of complications in 3317 patients. Eur Urol. 2011;59:684–98.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Wright JL, Dalkin BL, True LD, Ellis WJ, Stanford JL, Lange PH, et al. Positive surgical margins at radical prostatectomy predict prostate cancer specific mortality. J Urol. 2010;183(6):2213–8.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  49. Yossepowitch O, Bjartell A, Eastham JA, Graefen M, Guillonneau BD, Karakiewicz PI, et al. Positive surgical margins in radical prostatectomy: outlining the problem and its long-term consequences. Eur Urol. 2009;55(1):87–99.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Penson DF, McLerran D, Feng Z, Li L, Albertsen PC, Gilliland FD, et al. 5-year urinary and sexual outcomes after radical prostatectomy: results from the prostate cancer outcomes study. J Urol. 2005;173(5):1701–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Abrams P, Cardozo L, Fall M, Griffiths D, Rosier P, Ulmsten U, et al. The standardisation of terminology in lower urinary tract function: report from the standardisation sub-committee of the International Continence Society. Urology. 2003;61(1):37–49.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Cartwright R, Cardozo L. Usage of international continence society standardized terminology: a bibliometric and questionnaire study. Neurourol Urodyn. 2010;29(8):1373–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Ficazzola MA, Nitti VW. The etiology of post-radical prostatectomy incontinence and correlation of symptoms with urodynamic findings. J Urol. 1998;160(4):1317–20.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Ficarra V, Novara G, Rosen RC, Artibani W, Carroll PR, Costello A, et al. Systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting urinary continence recovery after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. Eur Urol. 2012;62(3):405–17.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Walsh PC, Donker PJ. Impotence following radical prostatectomy: insight into etiology and prevention. J rol. 1982;128(3):492–7.

    Google Scholar 

  56. Costello AJ, Brooks M, Cole OJ. Anatomical studies of the neurovascular bundle and cavernosal nerves. BJU Int. 2004;94(7):1071–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Schatloff O, Chauhan S, Sivaraman A, Kameh D, Palmer KJ, Patel VR. Anatomic grading of nerve sparing during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. Eur Urol. 2012;61(4):796–802.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Ficarra V, Novara G, Ahlering TE, Costello A, Eastham JA, Graefen M, et al. Systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting potency rates after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. Eur Urol. 2012;62(3):418–30.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Salomon L, Saint F, Anastasiadis AG, Sebe P, Chopin D, Abbou CC. Combined reporting of cancer control and functional results of radical prostatectomy. Eur Urol. 2003;44(6):656–60.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Pierorazio PM, Spencer BA, McCann TR, McKiernan JM, Benson MC. Preoperative risk stratification predicts likelihood of concurrent PSA-free survival, continence, and potency (the trifecta analysis) after radical retropubic prostatectomy. Urology. 2007;70(4):717–22.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Shikanov SA, Zorn KC, Zagaja GP, Shalhav AL. Trifecta outcomes after robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy. Urology. 2009;74(3):619–23.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Xylinas E, Durand X, Ploussard G, Campeggi A, Allory Y, Vordos D, et al. Evaluation of combined oncologic and functional outcomes after robotic-assisted laparoscopic extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy: trifecta rate of achieving continence, potency and cancer control. Urol Oncol. 2011;31(1):99–103.

    Google Scholar 

  63. Novara G, Ficarra V, D’Elia C, Secco S, Cavalleri S, Artibani W. Trifecta outcomes after robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. BJU Int. 2011;107(1):100–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. Patel VR, Sivaraman A, Coelho RF, Chauhan S, Palmer KJ, Orvieto MA, et al. Pentafecta: a new concept for reporting outcomes of robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Eur Urol. 2011;59(5):702–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. Ou YC, Yang CK, Wang J, Hung SW, Cheng CL, Tewari AK, Patel VR. The trifecta outcome in 300 consecutive cases of robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy according to D’Amico risk criteria. Eur J Surg Oncol. 2013;39(1):107–13.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. Yip KH, Yee CH, Ng CF, Lam NY, Ho KL, Ma WK, Li CM, Hou SM, Tam PC, Yiu MK, Fan CW. Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy in Hong Kong: a review of 235 cases. J Endourol. 2012;26(3):258–63.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Vipul Patel MD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Rocco, B., Coelho, R.F., Cozzi, G., De Lorenzis, E., Patel, V. (2015). Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy. In: Best, S., Nakada, S. (eds) Minimally Invasive Urology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1317-6_5

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1317-6_5

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-1316-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-1317-6

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics