Robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy in Italy: perioperative data on the first 150 patients.

BACKGROUND

In 2004 we performed the first robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) at Aosta, Italy.

METHODS

Data about our first 150 RALPs are presented.

RESULTS

Mean patient age was 65.2 (range 51-75) years; mean preoperative PSA level 7.9 (range 1.8-25.0) ng/ml. Nerve sparing was performed in 109 cases (72.7%) with lymph nodes dissection in 27 (18.0%). Operative time: patients 1-50, mean 213.3 (range 185-290) min; patients 51-100, 207.3 (range 185-335) min; patients 101-150, 171.7 (range 123-270) min. Two procedures were converted to open. Mean blood loss was 235 (range 20-1000) ml with two blood transfusions. One patient was reoperated for anastomotic leakage. Four patients were treated by colostomy and rectal suture for rectal injury (n = 3) or recto-urethral fistula (n = 1). The overall complication incidence was 13.3% (20 events), while mortality was nil.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of complications is slightly higher than in major pilot centres but it is comparable, hence RALP also appears feasible in our italian peripheral centre.