Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 1, 2026
Retzius-Sparing Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy
Published on: May 19, 2022
[Positive surgical margin status after minimally invasive radical prostatectomy: a multicenter study]
Ardit Tafa1, Angelica Grasso1, Alessandro Antonelli2
1Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano - Italy.
Unlabelled:
UNLABELLED: The aim of our study is to evaluate the status of positive margins (PSMs) comparing their incidence between aparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) and robot assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) in centers with medium case-load (50-150 cases/year). We also analyzed the correlations between surgical technique, nerve-sparing approach (NS), and incidence of PSMs, stratifying our results by pathological stage.
Materials And Methods:
We analyzed 1992 patients who underwent RP in various urologic centers. We evaluated the incidence of PSMs, and then we compared the stage-related incidence of PSMs, for both the techniques.
Results:
We did not find a statistically significant difference between the two surgical modalities in the study regarding the overall incidence of PSMs.
Conclusions:
In our retrospective study, we did not find any difference in terms of PSMs in RARP versus LRP. Our PSMs were not negligible, particularly in pT3 stages, compared with high-volume centers; surgical experience and patients' selection can be a possible explanation.
Insights
Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) and laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) show similar rates of positive surgical margins (PSMs). This finding holds true even in medium-volume centers, suggesting surgical experience is key.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Surgical Oncology
Background:
- Positive surgical margins (PSMs) are a critical indicator of oncological outcomes in radical prostatectomy (RP).
- Comparing PSM rates between different surgical techniques is essential for optimizing patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate and compare the incidence of PSMs between laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) and robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).
- To analyze the correlation between surgical technique, nerve-sparing approach, and PSMs, stratified by pathological stage, in medium-case-load centers.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 1992 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy (RP).
- Evaluation and comparison of the overall and stage-related incidence of PSMs between LRP and RARP.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant difference was found in the overall incidence of PSMs between LRP and RARP.
- PSM rates were notable in pT3 stages for both techniques, especially when compared to high-volume centers.
Conclusions:
- RARP and LRP demonstrate comparable rates of PSMs in medium-volume urologic centers.
- Surgical experience and patient selection may influence PSM rates, particularly in advanced pathological stages (pT3).
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