Implications of greater short-term PSA recurrence with laparoscopic as compared to retropubic radical prostatectomy...

There is ongoing discussion as to the necessity for certain surgical procedures being limited to high through-put institutions. To cast light on this question regarding use of open as compared to laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) the present study was conducted focusing on biochemical (PSA) recurrence-free survival of Japanese patients with clinically localized prostate carcinomas.

From April 2004 to December 2010 we identified 579 patients undergoing LRP (n=245) and retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP) (n=334) who did not undergo immediate adjuvant therapy (radiation and/or hormonal) and whose PSA levels were lower than 25 ng/ml. Preoperative prostate specific antigen (PSA) level, clinical stage, biopsy Gleason score and pathological features were assessed and Kaplan-Meier estimates of biochemical recurrence (BCR)-free survival were compared. A Cox regression model analysis was performed to determine predictors of biochemical recurrence.

Median follow up was 35 months(2- 115). On univariate analysis the LRP group had a slightly lower pathological T stage (p<0.001), higher biopsy Gleason score (p<0.001), but much more organ confined disease (p=0.001) than the RRP group. BCR-free survival did not significantly differ between LRP and RRP groups with preoperative PSA <6, clinical stage T1c,T2a, pathological stage T3 or more, biopsy Gleason score of 8 or more, pathological Gleason score of 6 or less and 8 or more, extra-capsular extension and negative surgical margin. The 3-year BCR-free survival rates were 91.0%(RRP) and 82.2%(LRP) (p<0.001).

We conclude that in general LRP may be associated with a less positive outcome than BCR for resection of low risk prostate cancers. Therefore indications for LRP should be very carefully monitored.