The transvesical approach technique for robot-assisted radical prostatectomy for early stage prostate cancer / 中华泌尿外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the feasibility and safety of the transvesical approach of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.Methods:From June 2017 to May 2020, 41 patients underwent transvesical approach of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. The patients’ mean age was 62.5(51-69)years. The mean prostate volume was 36.3(22.0-57.8)ml. The mean preoperative PSA value was 7.3(3.7-12.3)ng/ml. All preoperative Gleason score was less than or equal to 7 points and preoperative TNM stage ranged from T 2a to T 2b . All patients were diagnosed by prostate biopsy before surgery or pathological diagnosis after prostate enucleation. Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy through the longitudinal incision of the bladder neck was used. It was easy to identify and preserve the bladder neck during the operation. The bladder was opened with a small longitudinal incision, and the prostate was removed intrafascial. The pubic prostatic ligament and pudendal artery were fully preserved to achieve complete reduction of the anatomical structure. Results:All the operations were completed by robot-assisted radical prostatectomy with no transition to open surgery. The mean surgery time was 111.3(105-131)min. The mean estimated blood loss was 95.5 (50-220) ml. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 5.2(3-8)d. The time of postoperative catheter removal was 6.3(5-7)d. After 6 to 24 months of follow-up, 35 patients (85.4%, 35/41) received immediate recovery of continence, 4 patients had no urine leakage after 1 week, and 2 patients had no urine leakage after 1 month. All patients had regained continence 6-month postoperatively. No tumor biochemical recurrence (tPSA<0.2 ng/ml).Conclusions:The transvesical approach of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy was a safe and effective surgical technique, which was beneficial in early continence recovery, and also suitable for prostate cancer patients after prostate enucleation.