[Radical prostatectomy in clinically localized prostate carcinoma. Pro laparoscopic approach]

Systematic development of laparoscopy during the last decade has led to establishing laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) as a surgical procedure. On the basis of extensive experience at our center, the advantages of the minimally invasive method are described as well as the problems still in existence. Reduced trauma caused by laparoscopic access in combination with clearly reduced blood loss has resulted in less morbidity after laparoscopic procedures. This is reflected in a shorter postoperative stay in hospital and faster convalescence. LRP as an ambitious and complex procedure has an average complication rate of 12%, which shows that the method has surpassed the stage of experimental surgery. By direct comparison, the costs of LRP are higher than for the open surgical procedure, but on the whole this is economically balanced by the lower morbidity, shorter hospital stay, and faster convalescence. The progress in technology to be expected in the field of laparoscopy will further increase quality, precision, and safety of LRP and thus contribute to the establishment of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy as a surgical method of choice.