Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: minimum 3-year follow-up of the first 100 patients in the UK

To present the results of the first 100 patients in the UK treated by laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) and with at least 3 years of follow-up, as LRP continues to develop as a minimally invasive alternative to open radical prostatectomy.

In all, 100 patients (mean age 62 years, range 52-72) had a transperitoneal LRP by one surgeon during a 25-month period from 2000 to 2002. Most (78%) patients had a prostate-specific antigen level of 4-10 ng/mL, clinical stage T1 disease (62%), and Gleason 6 on biopsy (50%). Sixty-four patients had unilateral or bilateral nerve preservation and 14 had pelvic lymphadenectomy.

The mean operative duration was 245 min, with a 1% conversion rate. Three patients received a blood transfusion and three had major complications, including a rectal injury. The positive margin rate was 16% and correlated with pathological variables. At > or = 3 years of follow-up (mean 3.7) the overall survival rate was 99% and the biochemical progression-free survival was 88% in all patients, at 90% for pT2 and 75% for pT3. Ninety patients used 0-1 pads/day (84% pad-free) and 60 undergoing nerve preservation retained erectile function.

This series includes the first results for LRP with a > or = 3-year follow-up reported from the UK, with oncological control and morbidity comparable to those in previously published open and laparoscopic series. The history of open radical prostatectomy suggests that as the technique of LRP develops and experience with it increases, these results are likely to improve.