Extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: early experience in Thailand

The transperitoneal approach is the conventional technique for laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. There are, however, several disadvantages of the approach, such as damage to intraperitoneal organs and long-term ileus. To prevent these complications, we propose an extraperitoneal approach that has been successfully used for open radical prostatectomy in treating patients with localized prostate cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (ELRP). The outcomes of ELRP and open radical prostatectomy were also assessed and compared.

There were two groups of patients with localized prostate cancer confirmed by transrectal ultrasound biopsy. Patients were included if they had no previous hormonal treatment and no previous transurethral prostatectomy. Group I comprised patients in whom open radical prostatectomy was performed between February 2001 and August 2005 ( n = 55). Group II comprised patients in whom ELRP was performed between December 2005 and October 2006 (n = 41). Early postoperative results, clinical outcomes and complications were analysed among the two groups using Chi-squared, t and Mann-Whitney tests.

Group I and Group II did not show significant differences regarding age, clinical staging, hospitalization time, or pathological stage. Group II had a longer mean operative time than Group I (t test, p< 0.001). Median blood loss was significantly less in Group I (Mann-Whitney test, p < 0.001). Group II also demonstrated shorter catheter removal time (Mann-Whitney test, p = 0.003). In Group II, there were two rectal complications, including rectal injury and rectal necrosis, which were treated laparoscopically and conservatively without long-term problems.

With experience, ELRP is feasible with equal oncological outcomes to open radical prostatectomy. Although a certain disadvantage was presented by ELRP, the less invasive surgery and reduction in operative blood loss were major advantages. It is suggested that a large and longitudinal trial be conducted to investigate the effectiveness of such an approach in managing functional outcomes.