Impact of obesity on early erectile function recovery after robotic radical prostatectomy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Studies are limited regarding the impact of obesity on early erectile functional outcomes after robotic radical prostatectomy. Our goal was to determine this impact using patient-reported validated questionnaires. METHODS: International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-6) scores were prospectively collected with institutional review board approval, for patients who underwent robotic radical prostatectomy with bilateral nerve sparing from February 2007 to October 2009. The data were categorized into nonobese and obese groups and subsequently into 2 subgroups based on risk for postprostatectomy erectile dysfunction. Low risk is preoperative IIEF-6 ≥19 and high risk is IIEF-6 <19. The groups and subgroups were compared using chi-square analysis. RESULTS: Of 190 consecutive patients, 67 were excluded for preoperative severe erectile dysfunction (IIEF-6<7), or lack of IIEF-6 scores, or both. There were 69 nonobese patients of which 88% were potent preoperatively and 20% regained potency at 12 months postoperatively. Of 54 obese patients, 85% were potent preoperatively and 25% at 12 months. There was no difference in erectile function recovery rates between the groups (P=0.755). In both groups, patients with low risk of postoperative erectile dysfunction had statistically similar postoperative mean IIEF-6 scores at 6 and 12 months (P=0.580 and P=0.389, respectively), and no difference in erectile function recovery rates existed at 12 months (P=0.735). CONCLUSION: Obesity has no major contribution to the rate of early erectile function recovery after robotic radical prostatectomy. Preoperative erectile function remains the determining factor in postradical prostatectomy erectile dysfunction.

Side docking the robot for robotic laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Low lithotomy position with the robot between the legs for docking is a standard position for robotic radical prostatectomy. Its complications include occasional nerve injury and compartment syndrome. In some patients with conditions that limit hip abduction, this position may be infeasible. We report a docking technique that obviates stirrups and simplifies setup without altering surgical technique. METHODS: A total of 100 consecutive patients underwent robotic radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer. Fifty patients (group 1) were in the standard lithotomy position, and the remaining 50 patients (group 2) were in slight trendelenburg position with the robot at the side of the bed - "side-docked." Setup and docking times were recorded and both groups were compared for differences in operative variables. RESULTS: Mean setup time for group 2 was 4.7 minutes shorter than for group 1 (p = 0.02). Docking time and other operative variables were statistically similar and not affected by the adoption of side-docking technique. However, overall surgical time was longer due to modifications in other aspects of the technique during the study period. CONCLUSION: Side-docking for robotic radical prostatectomy is associated with small but significant improvement in setup time and can be utilized in patients with limited hip abduction.

Two-year outcomes after robotic renal surgery: a single surgeon's experience.

The purpose of this study is to validate the feasibility of the robotic technology for various types of renal surgery and to outline the 2-year clinical and pathological outcomes post surgery. In a retrospective chart review with IRB approval of 55 robotic renal surgeries, clinical data and pathological outcomes were recorded, including estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), serum creatinine, radiological surveillance of tumor recurrences and overall quality of life on pre- and postoperative visits at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. There were 26 robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN), 23 radical nephrectomy (RRN), 3 simple nephrectomy (RSN), and 3 radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) procedures. Twelve patients in the RPN group, 17 in the RRN group and all in the RSN and RNU groups had eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m(2) and one or more risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD) preoperatively. Mean serum creatinine was 1.2, 1.3, 1.2, and 1.8, and eGFR was 66.4, 61.2, 55.8, and 41.0, respectively. There were two distant metastasis and four local recurrences in the RRN group, and two local recurrences in the RNU group. Serum creatinine and changes in eGFR were statistically similar in all groups postoperatively. Cancer-specific survival was 100% for RPN, 83% for RRN, and 100% for RNU while overall survival was 100% for RPN, 76% for RRN, 100% for RSN, and 100% for RNU at 2 years. Robotic renal surgery is a feasible, minimally invasive alternative with promising outcomes in our short-term follow-up. Long-term and comparative studies with open or conventional laparoscopic approaches are needed.

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic simple prostatectomy: an alternative minimal invasive approach for prostate adenoma.

To substantiate robotic-assisted laparoscopic simple prostatectomy (RLSP) as an alternative minimal invasive approach for the treatment of prostatic adenoma. Retrospective chart review performed with institutional review board (IRB) approval. Demographic and clinical data were collected on 15 men between May 2007 and October 2009 who underwent RLSP for urinary retention secondary to benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH) and complicated by significant median lobe hypertrophy, bladder diverticula and/or stones. International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS), postvoid residual (PVR), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and cystoscopy, urodynamics evaluation, and operative reports were reviewed and analyzed. Average age, PSA, IPSS, and PVR in the series were 65.8 years, 5.17 ng/ml, 23.85, and 265.79 ml, respectively. Eleven men (73%) had urinary retention at presentation, 93.3% had significant intravesical lobe hypertrophy, 13.3% had bladder diverticula with/without stones, and mean prostate volume was 70.85 ml. All the men complained principally of persistent lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) despite maximal medical treatment. Mean operative time, estimated blood loss, and adenoma weight were 128.8 min, 139.3 ml, and 46.4 g, respectively. Mean hospital stay was 2.5 days with average postoperative Foley catheter time of 4.6 days. The only significant complication in the series was a postoperative incarcerated hernia in a patient with intraoperative repair of inguinal hernia. Postoperatively, symptom score improved significantly to an average of 8.13 (P = 0.0002), and urine residual also improved to an average of 44.19 ml (P ≤ 0.0001). Significant improvement from the sequelae of BPH can be successfully achieved with RLSP.