[Oncologic and functional outcomes after robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy]

The current gold standard treatment for localized prostate cancer remains open radical prostatectomy. From 1992, several teams have tried to explore less invasive surgical access. The first robotically assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) case was reported in 2000. Enhancement of the ergonomics and optimization of the surgical vision provided by the robotic interface, are some reasons that explain the worldwide widespread of RALP. Although this procedure accounted for the vast majority of radical prostatectomies performed in United States, its diffusion is still limited in Europe. The cost for robot purchase and maintenance are obvious limiting factors for its expansion. According to the literature, the operating time and the blood loss are, once the learning curve is completed, similar to those of open or laparoscopic procedures. Hospital stay and time before bladder catheter removal are shorter compared to other approaches. Intermediate oncological and functional outcomes do not show difference with the open or laparoscopic results. Given that these data are encouraging, the limited follow-up with RALP do not allow to draw any definitive statement in comparison with conventional techniques.