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Updated: May 25, 2026
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Retzius-Sparing Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy
Published on: May 19, 2022
Radical prostatectomy: positive surgical margins matter
Joshua J Meeks1, James A Eastham
1Urology Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Urologic Oncology
|January 17, 2012
Summary
Minimizing positive surgical margins (PSMs) after radical prostatectomy (RP) is crucial. PSMs increase the risk of biochemical recurrence (BCR) and the need for further treatment, highlighting the importance of surgical precision.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Oncology
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Positive surgical margins (PSMs) in radical prostatectomy (RP) correlate with adverse outcomes.
- PSMs serve as an indicator of surgical quality and are linked to biochemical recurrence (BCR).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the identification, anatomy, and management strategies for PSMs following RP.
- To synthesize current data on factors influencing PSMs and their clinical implications.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed.
- The search focused on studies published in English concerning factors affecting PSMs and their subsequent management.
Main Results:
- PSMs significantly increase the likelihood of BCR post-RP.
- The most frequent PSM locations are the prostate apex and posterolateral edge.
- Recurrence risk is influenced by PSM location, length, and Gleason score.
Conclusions:
- PSMs are associated with a higher probability of BCR and often necessitate adjuvant therapy.
- The primary surgical objective should be the minimization of PSMs to improve patient outcomes.
