Evolution of endoscopic extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy （EERPE）： technique and outcome

Endoscopic extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy （EERPE） is a well-established and standardized technique for treating patients with localized prostate cancer. Nevertheless, the procedure is continuously being refined with the expansion of anatomical knowledge. The development of a nerve-sparing approach and improvements in currently used equipment are expected to yield better results in cosmesis and convalescence without sacrificing the procedure＇s established benefits in terms of potency, continence and oncological management. In this study, the technique and its evolution are presented in detail, along with an analysis of its clinical efficacy. We also consult the literature to compare EERPE to transperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, and we also discuss new technical advancements regarding the use of robotic assistance during EERPE.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Radical Prostatectomy: Indication, Technique and Results at Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital Center of Lomé

Aim: Radical prostatectomy started in TOGO for nearly a decade. We purposed to evaluate the indications, technique and result obtained by this practical in our context. Methods: Descriptive retrospective study over 6 years, involves patients who underwent radical prostatectomy in the urology andrology department of the Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital in Lomé. Results: In 6 years, 24 radical prostatectomies were performed on 209 patients with prostate cancer (prevalence 12.92%). The average age of the patients was 63.8 ± 4.2 years. The average PSA rate was 27.9 ± 21.2 ng/ml. 58.3% were at high risk for d’Amico. The retropubic route with ilio-obturator lymph node dissection was the technique used for all patients. 80.9% of patients were continent and 33.3% had a satisfactory erection 12 months after the surgery. Recurrence-free survival at 1 year was 62.5% and 3 deaths or 12.5% were recorded in the first year in high-risk patients. Conclusion: Radical prostatectomy maintains its place of choice in the treatment of localized or locally advanced prostate cancer. It improves recurrence-free survival.

Effect of Comprehensive Nursing Intervention in Patients with Urinary Incontinence After Radical Prostatectomy

Objective:To explore and analyze the clinical effect of comprehensive nursing intervention in patients with urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy.Methods:84 patients with urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy admitted to the Urology Department between May 2021 and May 2023 were included in this study.The patients were divided into a comprehensive group and a control group,with 42 cases in each group through a double-blind mechanism.The comprehensive group received comprehensive nursing care,and the control group received primary nursing care.The duration of indwelling urinary catheters and urinary incontinence;psychological performance and living conditions were compared between the two groups.Results:The duration of the indwelling urinary catheter and urinary incontinence of the patients in the comprehensive group were significantly shorter than that in the control group(P<0.05).Before nursing,there was no statistically significant difference in the anxiety,depression,and other psychological manifestations between the two groups(P>0.05);after nursing,the comprehensive group’s anxiety,depression,and other psychological manifestations of the comprehensive group were significantly lower than those of the control group(P<0.05).Before nursing,there was no statistically significant difference in the physical function,mental state,emotional state,and physical recovery of the patients between both groups(P>0.05);after nursing,the physical function,mental state,emotional state,physical recovery of the patients in the comprehensive group were significantly better than those of the control group.Besides,the living conditions of the patients in the comprehensive group were also significantly better than the control group’s(P<0.05).Conclusion:Comprehensive nursing intervention can effectively improve symptoms of urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy,reduce inner pressure,and improve living standards.

A matched-pair comparison between bilateral intrafascial and interfascial nerve-sparing techniques in extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy

The aim of this study was to validate the advantages of the intrafascial nerve-sparing technique compared with the interfascial nerve-sparing technique in extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. From March 2010 to August 2011, 65 patients with localized prostate cancer （PCa） underwent bilateral intrafascial nerve-sparing extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. These patients were matched in a 1.2 ratio to 130 patients with localized PCa who had undergone bilateral interfascial nerve-sparing extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy between January 2008 and August 2011. Operative data and oncological and functional results of both groups were compared. There was no difference in operative data, pathological stages and overall rates of positive surgical margins between the groups. There were 9 and 13 patients lost to follow-up in the intrafascial group and interfascial group, respectively. The intrafascial technique provided earlier recovery of continence at both 3 and 6 months than the interfascial technique. Equal results in terms of continence were found in both groups at 12 months. Better rates of potency at 6 months and 12 months were found in younger patients （age 65 years） and overall patients who had undergone the intrafascial nerve-sparing extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Biochemical progression-free survival rates I year postoperatively were similar in both groups. Using strict indications, compared with the interfascial nerve-sparing technique, the intrafascial technique provided similar operative outcomes and short-term oncological results, quicker recovery of continence and better potency. The intrafascial nerve-sparing technique is recommended as a preferred approach for young PCa patients who are clinical stages cT1 to cT2a and have normal preoperative potency.

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.

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.

Adjuvant hormone therapy after radical prostatectomy in highrisk localized and locally advanced prostate cancer: First multicenter, observational study in China

Objective: Potential of combined androgen blockade(CAB) has not been explored extensively in Chinese males with prostate cancer(PCa). Therefore, this study evaluated the 2-year prostate-specific antigen(PSA) recurrence rate and quality of life(Qo L) in patients with high-risk localized and locally advanced PCa receiving adjuvant hormone therapy(HT) after radical prostatectomy(RP).Methods: This prospective, multicenter, observational study conducted in 18 centers across China enrolled patients with high-risk factor(preoperative PSA>20 ng/m L or Gleason score >7) or locally advanced PCa. Different adjuvant HT were administered after RP according to investigator’s decision in routine clinical practice.Relationship of baseline and postoperative characteristics was assessed with recurrence rate. PSA recurrence rate and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Prostate(FACT-P) Qo L scores were recorded at 12 months and 24 months. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to construct the PSA recurrence rate during follow-up.Results: A total of 189 patients(mean age: 66.9±6.5 years) were recruited, among which 112(59.3%) patients showed serum PSA>20 ng/m L preoperatively. The highest postoperative pathological advancement noticed was from clinical T2(c T2) to pathological T3(p T3)(43.9%) stage. The majority of the patients(66.1%) received CAB as adjuvant HT, for a median duration of 20.0 months. The least recurrence(15.2%) was noticed in patients treated with CAB, followed by those treated with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist(LHRHa)(16.1%), and antiandrogen(19.0%), with non-significant difference noted among the groups. None of the baseline or postoperative characteristics was related with PSA recurrence in our study. The 24-month FACT-P Qo L score of119 patients treated for >12 months showed significant improvement above baseline compared with those treated for ≤12 months.Conclusions: Adjuvant CAB therapy after RP showed reduction trend in 2-year PSA recurrence rate in highrisk Chinese patients with localized and locally advanced PCa, compared with adjuvant anti-androgens(AA) or LHRHa therapy. Further long-term therapy(>12 months) significantly improved Qo L compared to short-term HT therapy, suggesting the beneficial effect of long-term CAB therapy in improving Qo L.

Peritoneal interposition flap reduces symptomatic lymphocele following transperitoneal robot-assisted radical prostatectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection:An updated meta-analysis

Background Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy with intraoperative pelvic lymph node dissection is the criterion standard for surgical treatment of nonmetastatic intermediate-and high-risk prostate cancer.However,this method is associated with symptomatic lymphocele(SLC),which is an important morbidity factor.To overcome this complication,several modifications of the technique have been developed,including the peritoneal interposition flap(PIF).We performed an updated systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the efficacy and safety of this technique for preventing SLC and lymphocele(LC)formation.Materials and methods Searches were performed using databases and references from included studies and previous systematic reviews.Only randomized controlled trials and nonrandomized cohorts were included.Primary outcomes were the incidence of SLC and LC formation,and safety outcomes were defined as operation time,estimated blood loss,length of hospital stay,and urinary incontinence.Quality assessment was performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and Cochrane Collaboration's tool.Pooled treatment effects were estimated using odds ratios with 95%confidence intervals(CIs)for binary endpoints.Heterogeneity was examined using Cochran's Q test and I2 statistics;p values<0.10 and I2>25%were considered significant for heterogeneity.We used Mantel-Haenszel fixed-effect models in the analyses with low heterogeneity.Otherwise,the DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model was used.Results The initial search yielded 510 results.After the removal of duplicate records and application of the exclusion criterion,9 studies were fully reviewed for eligibility.Three randomized controlled trials and 5 retrospective cohorts met all the inclusion criteria,comprising 2261 patients,of whom 1073(47.4%)underwent PIF.Six studies reported a significant reduction in SLC in the PIF group,and 3 of the 4 studies reported LC formation yielded significant results in preventing this complication.The incidence of SLC and LC formation in a follow-up of≥3 months was significantly different between the PIF and no PIF group(odds ratio,0.34[95%CI,0.16–0.74;p=0.006]and 0.48[95%CI,0.31–0.74;p=0.0008]),respectively.The safety outcomes did not differ significantly between the 2 groups.Conclusions These results suggest that PIF is an effective and safe technique for preventing LC and SLC in patients undergoing transperitoneal robot-assisted radical prostatectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection.

Rehabilitation of erectile function following radical prostatectomy

The concept of muscle rehabilitation after nerve injury is not a novel idea and is practiced in many branches of medicine, including urology. Bladder rehabilitation after spinal cord injury is universally practiced. The erectile dysfunction （ED） experienced after radical prostatectomy （RP） is increasingly recognized as being primarily neurogenic followed by secondary penile smooth muscle （SM） changes. There is unfortunately no standard approach to penile rehabilitation after RP because controlled prospective human studies are not available. This article reviews the epidemiology, experimental pathophysiological models, rationale for penile rehabilitation, and currently published rehabilitation strategies.

Influence of obesity on localized prostate cancer patients Ireated with radical prostatectomy

This study aimed to investigate the association between different anthropometric measures of obesity and clinicopathological characteristics in Chinese patients with clinically localized prostate cancer （PCa）. A total of 734 patients with clinically localized PCa who underwent radical prostatectomy （RP） were included in this study. Clinical and pathological data from each patient were collected. Anthropometric measures of abdominal adiposity were measured from T2-weighted sagittal Iocalisation images from magnetic resonance imaging （MRI） for 413 （56.3%） patients. Patient clinical and pathological characteristics were compared across body mass index （BMI） groups. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to address the influence of the preoperative total testosterone level and anthropometric measures of obesity on pathological outcomes. In the multivariate analysis, BMI was not significantly associated with any pathological outcomes. However, the percentage of visceral adipose tissue （VAT%） was an independent predictor of a pathological Gleason score ≥8 （P〈0.O01）, extracapsular extension （ECE; P=0.002） and seminal vesicle invasion （SVI; P=0.007）. More importantly, we found that the preoperative total testosterone level was significantly correlated with the VAT% （Pearson＇s correlation coefficient： -0.485, P〈0.001） and subcutaneous adipose tissue （SAT; Pearson＇s correlation coefficient： 0.413, P〈0.001）. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that abdominal fat distribution, and particularly VAT%, is associated with a risk of advanced PCa. Moreover, our present study confirms a significant inverse correlation between visceral adiposity and testosterone. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the biological mechanisms underlying the relationship between abdominal adiposity and the aggressiveness of PCa.

Single-centre study comparing standard apical dissection with a modified technique to facilitate vesico-urethral anastomosis during laparoscopic radical prostatectomy

A modified apical dissection of the prostate to improve the efficiency of vesico-urethral anastomosis （VUA） in laparoscopic radical prostatectomy （LRP） was reported. A total of 42 patients were randomly selected and enrolled in this study. A standard LRP was performed in 21 patients （group 1）, whereas a novel, modified apical dissection of the prostate in LRP was performed in another 21 patients （group 2）. Surgical data, total operative time, VUA time, extravasation rate, catheterisation time, occurrence of anastomotic strictures, and the early and late continence rates were analysed statistically. No differences in clinical or pathological characteristics were determined between the two groups. The total operative time, VUA time, blood loss and catheterisation time were lower in group 2, which received the novel, modified technique compared with group 1, which received the standard technique to dissect the apex of the prostate （P〈0.01 for each variable）. Regarding the extravasation rate and the occurrence of anastomotic strictures, no significant differences were found between the two groups （P〉0.0.05 for each）. After catheter removal, a statistically significant difference in the continence rates was present at 3 and 30 days post operation in the two groups （P〈0.01, respectively）. At 90 days post operation, the difference, although still present, was no longer statistically significant （P〉0.05）. The novel, modified apical dissection of the prostate facilitates the VUA and significantly improves the efficacy of the procedure and early restoration of continence.

Perioperative complications of radical retropubic prostatectomy in patients with locally advanced prostate cancer： a comparison with clinically localized prostate cancer

Radical prostatectomy （RP） continues to be an effective surgical therapy for prostate carcinoma, particularly for organ-confined prostate cancer （PCa）. Recently, RP has also been used in the treatment of locally advanced prostate cancer. However, little research has been performed to elucidate the perioperative complications associated with RP in patients with clinically localized or locally advanced PCa. We sought to analyse the incidence of complications in these two groups after radical retropubic prostatectomy （RRP）. From June 2002 to July 2010, we reviewed 379 PCa patients who underwent RRP in our hospital. Among these cases, 196 had clinically localized PCa （Tla-T2c group 1）, and 183 had locally advanced PCa （ ≥ T3,： group 2）. The overall complication incidence was 21.9%, which was lower than other studies have reported. Perioperative complications in patients with locally advanced PCa mirror those in patients with clinically localized PCa （26.2% vs. 17.8%, P=0.91）. Our results showed that perioperative complications could not be regarded as a factor to consider in regarding RP in patients with cT3 or greater.

Oncological results, functional outcomes and health-related quality-of-life in men who received a radical prostatectomy or external beam radiation therapy for localized prostate cancer： a study on long-term patient outcome with risk stratification

Health-related quality-of-life （HRQOL） after a radical prostatectomy （RP） or extemal beam radiation therapy （EBRT） has not been studied in conjunction with oncological outcomes in relation to disease risk stratification. Moreover, the long-term outcomes of these treatment approaches have not been studied. We retrospectively analyzed oncological outcomes between consecutive patients receiving RP （n = 86） and EBRT （n = 76） for localized prostate cancer. HRQOL and functional outcomes could be assessed in 62 RP （79%） and 54 EBRT （79%） patients over a 3-year follow-up period （median： 41 months） using the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 （SF-36） and the University of Califomia Los Angeles Prostate Cancer Index （UCLA PCI）. The 5-year biochemical progression-free survival did not differ between the RP and EBRT groups for low-risk （74.6% vs. 75.0%, P = 0.931） and intermediate-risk （61.3% vs. 71.1%, P = 0.691） patients. For high-risk patients, progression-free survival was lower in the RP group （45.1%） than in the EBRT group （79.7%） （P = 0.002）. The general HRQOL was comparable between the two groups. Regarding functional outcomes, the RP group reported lower scores on urinary function and less urinary bother and sexual bother than the EBRT group （P 〈 0.001, P 〈 0.05 and P 〈 0.001, respectively）. With risk stratification, the low- and intermediate-risk patients in the RP group reported poorer urinary function than patients in the EBRT group （P 〈 0.001 for each）. The sexual function of the high-risk patients in the EBRT group was better than that of the same risk RP patients （P 〈 0.001）. Biochemical recurrence was not associated with the UCLA PCI score in either group. In conclusion, low- to intermediate-risk patients treated with an RP may report relatively decreased urinary function during long-term follow-up. The patient＇s HRQOL after treatment did not depend on biochemical recurrence.