Safety, Perioperative, and Early Functional Outcomes of Vapor Incision Technique Using the GreenLight XPS 180 W System: Direct Comparison with Photoselective Vaporization of the Prostate.

OBJECTIVES: To compare perioperative parameters, safety, and short-term functional outcomes between GreenLight 180 W-XPS photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) and vapor incision technique (VIT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 956 men were treated at five high-volume centers in Canada and the United States between 2000 and 2014 for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Perioperative parameters, complications, and early functional outcomes were retrospectively compared. One-to-one propensity score matching was performed to adjust for baseline differences between treatment groups. Subgroup stratified comparative analysis was performed according to preoperative prostate volume 80 cc or less vs greater than 80 cc on transrectal ultrasound (259 and 185 patients, respectively). RESULTS: VIT allowed greater energy delivery and energy density, but operative time and laser time were longer with greater use of MoXy fibers when compared with PVP (all p < 0.05). Improvements in outcomes at 6 months, including International Prostate Symptom Score, quality of life score, and uroflowmetry parameters, were significantly greater after VIT when compared with baseline. VIT was associated with significantly greater 6-month prostate-specific antigen (PSA) reduction (63% vs 50%, p = 0.01). No differences in intraoperative complications were observed between treatment groups. CONCLUSION: VIT is safe and efficacious, providing greater improvements in functional outcomes and PSA reduction at 6 months in comparison with PVP. These results reflect the larger amount of adenoma removed. Yet, it is associated with longer operative time and greater use of MoXy fibers. Long-term follow-up is needed to accurately assess functional outcomes and retreatment rates.

Robot assisted radical prostatectomy: how I do it. Part II: Surgical technique.

The introduction of the "da Vinci Robotic Surgical System" (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) has been an important step towards a minimally invasive approach to radical prostatectomy. Technologic peculiarities, such as three-dimensional vision, wristed instrumentation with seven degrees of freedom of motion, lack of tremor, a 10x-magnification and a comfortable seated position for the surgeon has added value to the procedure for the surgeon and the patient. In this article, we describe the 9 step surgical technique for robot assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) that is currently used in our institution (University of Montreal Hospital Center (CHUM) - Hopital St-Luc). We use the four-arm da Vinci Surgical System. Our experience with RARP is now over 250 cases with the senior surgeon having performed over 1200 RARPs and we have continually refined our technique to improve patient outcomes.

Robot assisted radical prostatectomy: how I do it. Part I: Patient preparation and positioning.

Radical prostatectomy remains the standard treatment for long term cure of clinically localized prostate cancer, offering excellent oncologic outcomes, with cancer-specific survival approaching 95% at 15 years after surgery. The introduction of the "da Vinci Robotic Surgical System" (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) has been another important step toward a minimally invasive approach to radical prostatectomy. Technologic peculiarities, such as three-dimensional vision, wristed instrumentation with seven degrees of freedom of motion, lack of tremor, a 10x-magnification and a comfortable seated position for the surgeon has added value to the surgeon and patient. In this first part of a two article series, we describe preoperative patient preparation and positioning protocols for robot assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) that are currently used in our institution (University of Montreal Hospital Center (CHUM)-Hopital St-Luc). We use the four-arm da Vinci Si Surgical System. Our experience with RARP is now over 250 cases with the senior surgeon having performed over 1200 RARPs and we have continually refined our technique to improve patient outcomes.