Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 10, 2026
Retzius-Sparing Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy
Published on: May 19, 2022
Use of optical dilating trocar for initial access during extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy
Tine Hajdinjak1, Neil E Oakley
1Department of Urology, Maribor Teaching Hospital, Maribor, Slovenia.
Background And Purpose:
For fully extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, open port placement is standard. This takes quite some time, so with the availability of trocars that combine optical control and radial dilation, an easier and faster technique was tested.
Patients And Methods:
In 70 consecutive cases, preperitoneal space creation was attempted with only a 1-cm skin incision, developing further access using an optical dilating trocar with a laparoscope. Open preparation of the subcutaneous fat and incision of the anterior rectus fascia was not necessary.
Results:
Access was successful on the first attempt in 67 cases. The time from the first skin incision to an established preperitoneal space was <10 minutes.
Conclusions:
We believe this technique offers an easier, faster, and safe way to introduce the first port for extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.
