Intermediate-term oncological and functional outcomes in prostate cancer patients treated with perineal robot-assisted radical prostatectomy:A single center analysis

Objective:In the last 10 years,robotic platforms allowed to resume of some alternative surgical approaches,including perineal robot-assisted radical prostatectomy(p-RARP).Herein,we present in detail the oncological and functional outcomes of patients who underwent p-RARP with a median follow-up of 30 months.Methods:Patients presenting low-or intermediate-risk prostate cancer and prostate volume up to 60 mL who underwent p-RARP between November 2018 and November 2022 were selected.Baseline,intraoperative,pathological,and postoperative data were collected and then analyzed.Results:Thirty-seven p-RARP cases were included.Such patients presented mean age of 62 years and a mean Charlson comorbidity index of 4.Body mass index of≥25 kg/m^(2)was reported by 24(64.9%)patients,as well as 7(18.9%)patients reported a past surgical history.Mean prostate volume and median prostate-specific antigen were 41 mL and 6.2 ng/mL,respectively.The median operative time was 242 min.The positive surgical margin rate was 45.9%.In terms of postoperative complications,10 patients reported complications with any grade;however,a single case(2.7%)of major(Clavien-Dindo grade≥3)complication was observed.No patient with biochemical recurrence or distant metastasis was reported at 2 years of follow-up.Recovery of continence rates were 67.6%,75.7%,and 92.9%,at 6 months,12 months,and 24 months after surgery,respectively.

Three-dimensional automatic artificial intelligence driven augmented-reality selective biopsy during nerve-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy:A feasibility and accuracy study

Objective:To evaluate the accuracy of our new three-dimensional(3D)automatic augmented reality(AAR)system guided by artificial intelligence in the identification of tumour’s location at the level of the preserved neurovascular bundle(NVB)at the end of the extirpative phase of nerve-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.Methods:In this prospective study,we enrolled patients with prostate cancer(clinical stages cT1ce3,cN0,and cM0)with a positive index lesion at target biopsy,suspicious for capsular contact or extracapsular extension at preoperative multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging.Patients underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy at San Luigi Gonzaga Hospital(Orbassano,Turin,Italy),from December 2020 to December 2021.At the end of extirpative phase,thanks to our new AAR artificial intelligence driven system,the virtual prostate 3D model allowed to identify the tumour’s location at the level of the preserved NVB and to perform a selective excisional biopsy,sparing the remaining portion of the bundle.Perioperative and postoperative data were evaluated,especially focusing on the positive surgical margin(PSM)rates,potency,continence recovery,and biochemical recurrence.Results:Thirty-four patients were enrolled.In 15(44.1%)cases,the target lesion was in contact with the prostatic capsule at multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging(Wheeler grade L2)while in 19(55.9%)cases extracapsular extension was detected(Wheeler grade L3).3D AAR guided biopsies were negative in all pathological tumour stage 2(pT2)patients while they revealed the presence of cancer in 14 cases in the pT3 cohort(14/16;87.5%).PSM rates were 0%and 7.1%in the pathological stages pT2 and pT3(<3 mm,Gleason score 3),respectively.Conclusion:With the proposed 3D AAR system,it is possible to correctly identify the lesion’s location on the NVB in 87.5%of pT3 patients and perform a 3D-guided tailored nerve-sparing even in locally advanced diseases,without compromising the oncological safety in terms of PSM rates.

The current status of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy

Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy （RARP） is a rapidly evolving technique for the treatment of localized prostate cancer. In the United States, over 65% of radical prostatectomies are robot-assisted, although the acceptance of this technology in Europe and the rest of the world has been somewhat slower. This article reviews the current literature on RARP with regard to oncological, continence and potency outcomes-the so-called ＇trifecta＇. Preliminary data appear to show an advantage of RARP over open prostatectomy, with reduced blood loss, decreased pain, early mobilization, shorter hospital stay and lower margin rates. Most studies show good postoperative continence and potency with RARP; however, this needs to be viewed in the context of the paucity of randomized data available in the literature. There is no definitive evidence to show an advantage over standard laparoscopy, but the fact that this technique has reached parity with laparoscopy within 5 years is encouraging. Finally, evolving techniques of single-port robotic prostatectomy, laser- guided robotics, catheter-free prostatectomy and image-guided robotics are discussed.

Nerve-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy:Current perspectives

Robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy(RARP)is the current standard of care with long term cure in organ-confined disease.The introduction of nerve-sparing(NS)to standard RARP has shown positive results in terms of functional outcomes in addition to the oncological outcomes.This article reviews the current perspectives of NS-RARP in terms of applied anatomy of the prostatic fascial planes,the neurovascular bundle(NVB),various NS techniques and postoperative functional outcomes.A non-systematic review was done using PubMed,Embase and Medline databases to retrieve and analyse articles in English,with following keywords“prostate cancer”,“robotic radical prostatectomy”,“nerve-sparing”.The Delphi method was used with an expert panel of robotic surgeons in urology to analyse the potency outcomes of various published comparative and non-comparative studies.The literature has shown that NS-RARP involves various techniques and approaches while there is a lack of randomized studies to suggest the superiority of one over the other.Variables such as preoperative risk assessments,baseline potency,surgical anatomy of individual patients and surgeons’expertise play a major role in the outcomes.A tailored approach for each patient is required for applying the NS approach during RARP.

Significance of preoperatively observed detrusor overactivity as a predictor of continence status early after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy

Several recent studies have reported the involvement of bladder dysfunction in the delayed recovery of urinary continence following radical prostatectomy （RP）. The objective of this study was to investigate the significance of detrusor overactivity （DO） as a predictor of the early continence status following robot-assisted RP （RARP）. This study included 84 consecutive patients with prostate cancer undergoing RARP. Urodynamic studies, including filling cystometry, pressure flow study, electromyogram of the external urethral sphincter and urethral pressure profile, were performed in these patients before surgery. Urinary continence was defined as the use of either no or one pad per day as a precaution only. DO was preoperatively observed in 30 patients （35.7%）, and 55 （65.5%） and 34 （40.5%） were judged to be incontinent 1 and 3 months after RARP, respectively. At both 1 and 3 months after RARP, the incidences of incontinence in patients with DO were significantly higher than in those without DO. Of several demographic and urodynamic parameters, univariate analyses identified DO and maximal urethral closure pressure （MUCP） as significant predictors of the continence status at both 1 and 3 months after RARP. Furthermore, DO and MUCP appeared to be independently associated with the continence at both I and 3 months after RARP on multivariate analysis. These findings suggest that preoperatively observed DO could be a significant predictor of urinary incontinence early after RARP; therefore, it is recommended to perform urodynamic studies for patients who are scheduled to undergo RARP in order to comprehensively evaluate their preoperative vesicourethral functions.

Comparison of functional outcomes after retropubic, laparoscopic and robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: A meta-analysis

AIM: To assess the 6-mo and 12-mo functional outcomes after retropubic, laparoscopic and robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy retropubic radical prostatectomy(RRP) laparoscopic radical prostatectomy(LRP); robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy(RARP). METHODS: A literature search was conducted using the Pub Med, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library and the Web of Knowledge databases updated to March, 2014 for relevant published studies. After data extraction and quality assessment via the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale or the Cochrane collaboration's tool for assessing risk ofbias, meta-analysis was performed using Rev Man 5.1. Either a random-effects model or a fixed-effects model was used. Potential publication bias was assessed using visual inspection of the funnel plots, and verified by the Egger linear regression test. RESULTS: Thirty-seven studies were identified in total: 14 articles comparing LRP with RRP, 12 articles comparing RARP with RRP, and 11 articles comparing RARP with LRP. For urinary continence, a statistically significant advantage was observed in RARP compared with LRP or RRP both at 6 mo [odds ratio(OR) = 1.93; P < 0.01, OR = 2.23; P < 0.05, respectively] and 12 mo(OR = 1.47; P < 0.01, OR = 2.93; P < 0.01, respectively) postoperatively. The continence recovery rates after LRP and RRP, with obvious heterogeneity(6-mo: I2 = 74%; 12-mo: I2 = 75%), were equivalent(6-mo: P = 0.52; 12-mo: P = 0.75). In terms of potency recovery, for the first time, we ranked the three surgical approaches into a superiority level: RARP > LRP > RRP, with a statistically significant difference at 12 mo [RARP vs LRP(OR = 1.99; P < 0.01); RARP vs RRP(OR = 2.66; P < 0.01); LRP vs RRP(OR = 1.34; P < 0.05)], respectively. Meta-regression and subgroup analyses according to adjustment of the age, body mass index, prostate volume, Gleason score or prostate-specific antigen did not vary significantly. CONCLUSION: Current evidence suggests that minimally invasive approaches(RARP or LRP) are effective procedures for functional recovery. However, more high-quality randomized control trials investigating the long-term functional outcomes are needed.

The application of virtual reality training for anastomosis during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy

Objective:To investigate the application of virtual reality training in vesicourethral anastomosis during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy(RARP).Methods:Three certified robotic urologists who underwent virtual reality training were enrolled in the study group.The other three without training were enrolled in the control group.Parameters were recorded before and after the training.Then a total of 18 patients undergoing RARP were enrolled and randomized assigned to receive anastomosis procedures with certified urologists who either obtained or did not obtain training.The quality of the anastomosis was evaluated.Results:For the virtual training evaluation,the overall score was significantly improved from 65.0±10.8 to 92.7±3.5(p=0.014);the time of anastomosis was shortened;the economy of motion improved;instrument collisions decreased after training(p<0.05).Besides,the effectiveness of the virtual training was evaluated in the 18 real anastomosis procedures which were completed either by three urologists with training or three urologists without training.Most intriguingly,the average time of anastomosis was shortened from 40.0±12.4 min to 25.1±7.1 min(p=0.015).The parameters including time of operation,creatinine level of drainage,postoperative hospital stay and duration of catheter drainage were comparable before and after training.Two leakages,which were observed in procedures by doctors without training,needed salvage sutures by a senior doctor.Conclusions:Virtual reality training enabled surgeons to become quickly familiar with robotic system manipulation,improved their skills for vesicourethral anastomosis and shortened the learning curve,thus helping them operate with high efficacy and quality.

Is Retzius-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy associated with better functional and oncological outcomes? Literature review and meta-analysis

Objective:To evaluate the efficiency,safety and clinical outcomes of Retziussparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy(RS-RARP)in comparison with the standard RARP.Methods:A systematic search from Web of Science,PubMed,EMBase,Cochrane Library and Google Scholar was performed using the terms“Retzius-sparing”,“Bocciardi approach”and“robot-assisted radical prostatectomy”.Video articles and abstract papers for academic conferences were excluded.Meta-analysis of interested outcomes such as positive surgical margins(PSMs)and continence recovery was undertaken.A comprehensive literature review of all studies regarding Retzius-sparing(RS)approach was conducted and summarized.Results:From 2010 to 2017,11 original articles about RS-RARP approach were retrieved.Of that,only four studies comparing the RS-RARP approach to the conventional RARP were comparable for meta-analysis.Faster overall continence recovery within 1 month after the surgery was noted in the RS group(61%vs.43%;pZ0.004).PSMs of pT2 and pT3 stages were not significantly different between the groups(10.0%vs.7.4%;p Z 0.39 and 13.1%vs.9.5%,p Z 0.56,respectively).Of all the studies,only one reported sexual recovery outcomes after RS treatment in which 40%of the participants achieved sexual intercourse within the first month.Conclusion:Though more technically demanding than the conventional RARP,the RS technique is a safe and feasible approach.This meta-analysis and literature review indicates that RS technique,as opposed to the conventional approach,is associated with a faster continence recovery while PSMs were comparable between the two groups.The limitations of observational studies and the small data in our meta-analysis may prevent an ultimate conclusion.Future well-designed RCTs are needed to validate and confirm our findings.

Impact of postoperative sexual function on health-related quality of life after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy

Background:We investigated potential disparities in health-related quality of life,particularly concerning urinary function,between patients with preserved and those with impaired sexual function after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy(RARP).Materials and methods:BetweenDecember 2012 and April 2020,704men underwent RARP in our hospital.This study included 155 patients with a preoperative 5-item International Index of Erectile Function(IIEF-5)of≥12 points and an assessable IIEF-5 at 12 months postoperatively.Health-related quality of life was assessed using the 8-item Short-Form Health Survey and Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite(EPIC)preoperatively and at 3,6,and 12months postoperatively.A logistic regression analysis andWilcoxon rank sum tests were performed.Results:Patients were grouped according to the median IIEF-5 score 12 months after surgery:those with preserved sexual function(n=71)and those with impaired sexual function(n=84).The mental component summary of the 8-item Short-Form Health Survey was better in the group with preserved sexual function at 6 months postoperatively than in the group with impaired sexual function(p<0.01).In the EPIC,the group with preserved sexual function performed better not only in the sexual domain but also in the urinary domain at all time points comparedwith the groupwith impaired sexual function(p<0.01).In the comparison of the urinary subdomains of the EPIC,there were no significant differences in urinary function or incontinence,but there were significant differences in urinary distress and irritative/obstructive scores(p<0.01).Conclusions:Patients with preserved postoperative sexual function after RARP showed better urinary function than those with impaired sexual function.Hence,preserved sexual function is closely associated with urinary function.

Proficiency score as a predictor of early trifecta achievement during the learning curve of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy for high-risk prostate cancer:Results of a multicentric series

Background:Recently,an innovative tool called“proficiency score”was introduced to assess the learning curve for robot-assisted radical prostatectomy(RARP).However,the initial study only focused on patients with low-risk prostate cancer forwhompelvic lymph node dissection(PLND)was not required.To address this issue,we aimed to validate proficiency scores of a contemporarymulticenter cohort of patients with high-risk prostate cancer treated with RARP plus extended PLND by trainee surgeons.Material andmethods:Between 2010 and 2020,4 Italian institutional prostate-cancer datasets weremerged and queried for“RARP”and“high-risk prostate cancer.”High-risk prostate cancer was defined according to the most recent European Association of Urology guidelines as follows:prostate-specific antigen>20 ng/mL,International Society ofUrological Pathology≥4,and/or clinical stage(cT)≥2c on preoperative imaging.The selected cohort(n=144)included clinical cases performed by trainee surgeons(n=4)after completing their RARP learning curve(50 procedures for low-risk prostate cancer).The outcome of interest,the proficiency score,was defined as the coexistence of all the following criteria:a comparable operation time to the interquartile range of the mentor surgeon at each center,absence of any significant perioperative complications Clavien-Dindo Grade 3–5,no perioperative blood transfusions,and negative surgical margins.A logistic binary regression model was built to identify the predictors of 1-year trifecta achievement in the trainee cohort.For all statistical analyses,a 2-sided p<0.05 was considered significant.Results:A proficiency score was achieved in 42.3%patients.At univariable level,proficiency score was associated with 1-year trifecta achievement(odds ratio,8.77;95%confidence interval,2.42–31.7;p=0.001).After multivariable adjustments for age,nerve-sparing,and surgical technique,the proficiency score independently predicted 1-year trifecta achievement(odds ratio,9.58;95%confidence interval,1.83–50.1;p=0.007).Conclusions:Our findings support the use of proficiency scores in patients and require extended PLND in addition to RARP.

Impact of the Rapid Recovery Concept on Complications and Patient Quality of Life in the Perioperative Nursing of Robot-Assisted Radical Oesophageal Cancer

Aim: This study evaluates the impact of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) nursing on postoperative complications and quality of life in patients undergoing robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE). Methods: A total of 150 patients who underwent RAMIE from January 2020 to January 2022 at our hospital were randomly assigned to either the observation group or the control group, with 75 patients in each. The control group received standard perioperative management and nursing care, while the observation group was treated with ERAS nursing strategies. Interventions continued until discharge, and outcomes such as postoperative complications, quality of life, and nutritional status were compared between the groups. Results: The observation group exhibited a significantly lower incidence of postoperative adverse reactions compared to the control group (P ionally, all dimension scores of the Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36), including the total score, were higher in the observation group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS) scores for impaired nutritional status and disease severity, along with the total NRS score, were significantly lower in the observation group compared to the control group (P Conclusion: Implementing ERAS nursing in the perioperative care of patients undergoing RAMIE is associated with reduced postoperative complications and enhanced postoperative quality of life and nutritional status. .

Outcomes after robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy

Robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy （RALRP） using the da Vinci surgical system is now in widespread use in many countries where economic conditions allow the installation of this expensive technology. Controversy has surrounded the procedure since it was first performed in 2000, with many critics highlighting the lack of evidence to support its use. However, despite the lack of level I evidence, many large studies of patients have confirmed that the procedure is feasible and safe, with low morbidity. Available longer-term oncological data seem to show that outcomes from the robotic approach at least match those of traditional open radical prostatectomy. Functional outcomes also seem satisfactory, although randomized controlled trials are lacking. This paper reviews the current status of RALRP with respect to perioperative data and complications and oncologic and functional outcomes.

The effect of adjunct caudal block on postoperative analgesia in robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: A prospective randomized controlled, single blinded pilot study in a tertiary centre

Objective:Caudal block provides satisfactory postoperative pain relief in lower abdominal operations.This pilot study explores its safety and effect on postoperative pain control in patients who underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy(RARP).Methods:From 2013 to 2014,40 consecutive patients were randomized into two groups d one received caudal block using ropivacaine immediately after operation,the other received standard analgesia.Primary outcome measure was pain score based on 11-point Likert scale(0e10)recorded at recovery room,and at 6,12,24,48,and 72 h after operation.All analgesic requirements,opioid-related adverse events and time to passage of flatus were examined.Results:Mean age of the two groups was similar(60.4 vs.62.3 years,p Z 0.33),as was American Society of Anaesthesiologists(ASA)class,body mass index(BMI)and operation times.No significant difference in median pain scores was reported in recovery room(2 vs.3,p Z 0.34),and at 6 h(2 vs.2,p Z 0.94),12 h(0 vs.0,p Z 0.62),24 h(1 vs.0,p Z 0.58),48 h(1 vs.0,p Z 0.36)and 72 h(0 vs.0,p Z 0.78)postoperatively between control and caudal block groups,respectively.There was a higher mean opioid usage in the caudal block group which was not statistically significant.Although this was statistically insignificant while no significant difference in mean paracetamol usage was observed postoperatively.Median time to passage of flatus was similar(2.0 vs.2.0 days,p Z 0.97).There was one case of superficial wound infection and no opioid-related adverse events observed.Hospital stay was similar in both groups(2.5 vs.2.5 days,p Z 0.96).

Cavernous Nerve Graft Reconstruction with a Novel Artificial Conduit during Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy

The interposition sural nerve graft has been attempted occasionally during radical prostatectomy for the recovery of continence and erectile function;however, nerve autograft may result in adverse events for the patient. Here, we present our initial experiences using NerbridgeTM, a novel conduit for peripheral nerve regeneration, rather than utilizing sural nerve grafting, in robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy to overcome autograft problems such as prolongation of operation time and postoperative abnormal sensation. This novel artificial conduit interposition can be technically feasible when combined with robotic surgery, and prospective randomized controlled trials with high patients-numbers and long follow-up periods are warranted.

Does robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy enable to obtain adequate oncological and functional outcomes during the learning curve?From the Korean experience

To estimate the short-term results of robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy(RALRP)during the learning curve,in terms of surgical,oncological and functional outcomes,we conducted a prospective survey on RALRP.From July 2007,a single surgeon performed 63 robotic prostatectomies using the same operative technique.Perioperative data,including pathological and early functional results of the patient,were collected prospectively and analyzed.Along with the accumulation of the cases,the total operative time,setup time,console time and blood loss were significantly decreased.No major complication was present in any patient.Transfusion was needed in six patients;all of them were within the initial 15 cases.The positive surgical margin rate was 9.8%(5/51)in pT2 disease.The most frequent location of positive margin in this stage was the lateral aspect(60%),but in pT3 disease multiple margins were the most frequent(41.7%).Overall,53(84.1%)patients had totally continent status and the median time to continence was 6.56 weeks.Among 17 patients who maintained preoperative sexual activity(Sexual Health Inventory for Men≥17),stage below pT2,followed up for>6 months with minimally one side of neurovascular bundle preservation procedure,12(70.6%)were capable of intercourse postoperatively,and the mean time for sexual intercourse after operation was 5.7 months.In this series,robotic prostatectomy was a feasible and reproducible technique,with a short learning curve and low perioperative complication rate.Even during the initial phase of the learning curve,satisfactory results were obtained with regard to functional and oncological outcome.

First 100 cases of transvesical single-port robotic radical prostatectomy

Objective:To describe the surgical technique and report the early outcomes of the transvesical(TV)approach to single-port(SP)robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.Methods:All procedures were performed at a single center by one surgeon.We identified the first 100 consecutive patients with clinically localized prostate cancer that underwent SP TV robot-assisted radical prostatectomy using the da Vinci SP robotic surgical system.Data were collected prospectively and analyzed with descriptive statistics.The primary outcomes assessed were postoperative urinary continence,rate of biochemical recurrence,and sexual function.Results:All procedures were performed without extra ports or conversion.The median age was 62.1 years and 49.0%of the patients had abdominal surgery history.The preoperative median prostate-specific antigen value and prostate volume were 5.0 ng/mL and 33.0 mL,respectively.There were no intraoperative complications.The median operative time and estimated blood loss were 212.5 min and 100.0 mL,respectively.A total of 92.0%of patients were discharged within 24.0 h,with an overall median length of stay of 5.6 h.Only 4.0%of patients required opioid prescriptions at discharge.The median Foley catheter duration was 3 days.Positive margins were present in 15.0%of cases.Median follow-up was 10.4 months.Continence rate was immediate after Foley removal in 49.0%of cases,65.0%at 2 weeks,77.4%at 6 weeks,94.1%at 6 months,and 98.9%at 1 year.One case of biochemical recurrence(1.0%)was noted 3 months after surgery.Conclusion:The SP TV approach for radical prostatectomy cases is a safe and feasible technique for patients with clinically localized prostate cancer.This technique offers advantages of short hospital stay,minimal narcotic use postoperatively,and promising early return of urinary continence,without compromising oncologic outcomes.

Neuraxial anesthesia versus general anesthesia in patients undergoing three-dimensional laparoscopic radical prostatectomy:Preliminary results of a prospective comparative study

Objective:Neuraxial anesthesia(NA)showed to reduce both morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery.We aimed to investigate the use of NA in patients undergoing transperitoneal three-dimensional laparoscopic radical prostatectomy(t-3DLRP)and compare the intraoperative and postoperative outcomes with a control group of patients undergoing t-3DLRP under general anesthesia(GA).Methods:A prospective,double-center,double-surgeon study cohort of 84 consecutive patients undergoing t-3DLRP between June 2019 and June 2021 was analyzed.A study group of 42 patients undergoing t-3DLRP under NA was compared with a control group of 42 patients undergoing t-3DLRP under GA.Results:The two group were similar in all demographic,clinical,and pathological variables.Postoperative blood gas parameters were within physiologic limits in both groups.Muscle relaxation was adequate for surgery during both NA and GA.Median length of stay was 1 day shorter for NA group than GA group(5 days vs.6 days,p=0.05).t-3DLRP under NA had a statistically lower rate of minor complications(4.8%vs.19.0%,p=0.03)and less postoperative pain(median numeric rating scale 3 vs.4,p=0.01)compared to GA.No major complications were observed in both groups.Significantly more patients were willing to undergo a similar intervention under NA than GA(p=0.04).Conclusion:t-3DLRP under NA is a feasible and safe procedure,with less postoperative pain and fewer minor complications than the same procedure under GA.NA allows the maintenance of muscle relaxation and respiratory excursions without interfering with surgery.

Clinicopathological and oncological significance of persistent prostate-specific antigen after radical prostatectomy:A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective:To investigate the association of persistently elevated prostate-specific antigen(PSA)after radical prostatectomy(RP)with clinicopathological features and long-term oncological prognosis for the development of a potential management strategy.Methods:A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed and Web of Science up to June 2021 to identify the eligible studies focusing on understanding the impact of persistent PSA in patients who underwent RP for localized prostate cancer.Meta-analyses were performed on parameters with available information.Results:A total of 32 RP studies were identified,of which 11 included 26719 patients with consecutive cohorts and the remaining 21 comprised 24177 patients with cohorts carrying specific restrictions.Of the 11 studies with consecutive cohorts,the incidence of persistent PSA varied between 3.1%and 34.6%with a median of 11.0%.Meta-analyses revealed patients with persistent PSA consistently showed unfavorable clinicopathological features and a more than 3.5-fold risk of poorer biochemical recurrence,metastasis,and prostate cancer-specific mortality prognosis independently,when compared to patients with undetectable PSA.Similarly,cases with persistent PSA in different specific patient cohorts with a higher risk of prostate cancer also showed a trend of worse outcomes.Conclusion:We found that the frequency of persistent PSA was about 11.0%in consecutive RP cohorts.Persistent PSA was significantly associated with unfavorable clinicopathological characteristics and worse oncological outcomes.Patients with persistent PSA after RP may benefit from early salvage treatment to delay or prevent biochemical recurrence,improving oncological outcomes for these patients.Further prospective randomized controlled trials are warranted to understand optimal systemic therapy in these patients.

Role of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging on the surgical outcomes of radical prostatectomy:Does preoperative tumor recognition reduce the positive surgical margin in a specific location?Experience from a Thailand prostate cancer specialized center

Objective Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)has become the standard of care for the diagnosis of prostate cancer patients.This study aimed to evaluate the influence of preoperative MRI on the positive surgical margin(PSM)rates.Methods We retrospectively reviewed 1070 prostate cancer patients treated with radical prostatectomy(RP)at Siriraj Hospital between January 2013 and September 2019.PSM rates were compared between those with and without preoperative MRI.PSM locations were analyzed.Results In total,322(30.1%)patients underwent MRI before RP.PSM most frequently occurred at the apex(33.2%),followed by posterior(13.5%),bladder neck(12.7%),anterior(10.7%),posterolateral(9.9%),and lateral(2.3%)positions.In preoperative MRI,PSM was significantly lowered at the posterior surface(9.0%vs.15.4%,p=0.01)and in the subgroup of urologists with less than 100 RP experiences(32%vs.51%,odds ratio=0.51,p<0.05).Blood loss was also significantly decreased when a preoperative image was obtained(200 mL vs.250 mL,p=0.02).Multivariate analysis revealed that only preoperative MRI status was associated with overall PSM and PSM at the prostatic apex.Neither the surgical approach,the neurovascular bundle sparing technique,nor the perioperative blood loss was associated with PSM.Conclusion MRI is associated with less overall PSM,PSM at apex,and blood loss during RP.Additionally,preoperative MRI has shown promise in lowering the PSM rate among urologists who are in the early stages of performing RP.

Trifecta Outcomes of Screening Detected and Patients with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms after Open Radical Prostatectomy for Localized Prostate Cancer

Background: Many studies have reported on trifecta outcomes after radical prostatectomy. There is however paucity of studies that compares the trifecta outcome between screen detected and patients presenting with lower urinary symptoms with localized prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy. This study compares the trifecta outcomes between these two groups after an open retropubic radical prostatectomy. Methodology: This is a retrospective study, on the trifecta outcomes (urinary continence, erectile function, and cancer control) of consecutive patients that had open radical retropubic prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer by a single surgeon. Patients were grouped into screen detected and presentation with lower urinary symptoms or retention of urine. The parameters considered were the age of the patients, the total prostate specific antigen (tPSA) at presentation, the clinical T stage, the Gleason score of prostate biopsies, the risk categories using the D’Amico risk groups and the trifecta outcomes after the procedure. Results: In all, 119 patients met the criteria for inclusion. The median follow up was 63.5 months (range 12 - 156 months). Of these 40.3% of the patients were diagnosed through screening with elevated PSA while 59.7% had presented with symptoms of lower urinary tract obstruction. The mean age for the patients was 60.8 ± 6.5 years, median PSA 12.6 ng/ml (IQR 8.6 - 19.7) and median prostate weight of 50.0 (IQR 40.0 - 60 g). The urinary continence rate after the procedure was 93.3%, erection rate of 81.5%, cancer control rate of 71.4% and trifecta achieved in 57.1%. Comparing the screening and the symptomatic cases, the urinary continence rate was 91.7% vrs 94.3%;erectile function rate was 79.2% vrs 83.1%;cancer control 68.8% vrs 73.2% and trifecta achieved in 58.3% vrs 56.3%. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of urinary continence p = 0.564, erection function p = 0.588, cancer control p = 0.595, and achieving trifecta p = 0.829. Conclusion: Patients with localized prostate cancer presenting with lower urinary symptoms compared to screen detected patients have similar outcomes in terms of urinary Continence, erectile function, cancer control and trifecta after open radical retropubic prostatectomy.