[Open versus laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: a French center experience]

To compare peri-operative outcomes of open radical prostatectomy (ORP) to laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) in a single French institution.

Between 1998 and 2003, 72 patients underwent ORP followed by 279 LRP between 2003 and 2010 for a clinically localized prostate cancer. Demographic, peri-operative and pathological data in the ORP and LRP groups were analyzed and compared.

In the ORP group, compared to the LRP group, the following significant differences were found: patients were older (63.1 years versus 65.6), initial PSA was higher (10.2 ng/mL versus 6.7) and the proportion of T1c was higher (62.8 % versus 80.6 %). Operative blood loss (1500 mL versus 500) and length of hospitalization (9.0 days versus 6.3) were higher in the ORP group (P<0.001). Operative time was longer in the LRP group (250 min versus 160; P<0 .001). There was no significant difference regarding length of catheterization (average of 8.5 days). Anastomotic strictures were more frequent following ORP (P<0.001). Positive margins proportion in the ORP group (7.1 %) was lower than that observed in the LRP group (28.7 %) (P=0.001). Patients in the ORP group achieved early continence more frequently (P<0.01) but at 12 months postoperatively there was no significant difference.

Patients in the LRP group had lower operative blood losses and a shorter length of hospitalization. However, in the ORP group, operative time was shorter and positive margins rate was lower.