PASCUAL PIEDROLA, J.I. et al. Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: Only at centers of expertise. []. , 29, 10, pp.927-933. ISSN 0210-4806.

Objectives: To present and evaluate our experience and initial results in radical laparoscopic prostatectomy which we have been using for two and an half years in our General Hospital (covering a total population of 200.000 inhabitants). Material and Methods. Between December 2002 and August 2005, were selected 26 patients for radical laparoscopic prostatectomy (25 transperitoneal and 1 extraperitoneal). Mean age was 62.3 ± 5.3 years (range 52-69). Mean PSA level was 9.16 ± 4.20 ng/mL (range 5.26 to 24.3). Pre-operative classification was T1c in 10 patients (38.4%), T2a in 8 (30.8%) and T2b in 8. Mean Gleason Score was 6 ± 0.8 (range 4-7). Three patients had undergone preoperatively neo-adjuvant hormonal blockage (11.5%). Simultaneous bilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy was performed in two patients. In no case did we consider a nerve sparing approach. Results. The procedure was accomplished in 20 patients. Mean follow-up was 12.4 ± 8.6 months (range 3 - 34). There was no perioperative mortality. Conversion to open surgery was required six times in the ten first cases but not thereafter. Mean operating time for the whole series was 303 ± 95 minutes (range 150-540) but with a distinct difference between the first fourteen and the last six cases: 332 ± 92,58 versus 236.6 ± 66.5 (p<0.02). Mean blood loss was 90.25 ± 46.5 ml. There were early postoperative complications in 4 patients (15.38%). Final pathological staging was: T2a in three patients (15%), T2b (50%) in 10, T3a (15%) in three and T3b (20%) in four. Positive margins were found in three cases (11.5%): T2b, T3a and T3b. Mean hospitalisation time was 4.7 ± 3.1 days. Provided there was no urinary leakage, the urinary catheter was removed at 12.7 ± 2.7 days. Full continence at three months was achieved in 17 of the patients (85%) who had undergone the full laparoscopic procedure. Conclusions: Our previous experience in other major laparoscopic procedures has allowed us to perform radical laparoscopic prostatectomy with a fast learning curve even in a setting of a relatively low population. Initial long term results seem similar to those achieved with conventional surgery.

: Laparoscopy; Prostate cancer; Radical prostatectomy; Expertise.

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