Salvage robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy: oncologic and functional outcomes from two high-volume institutions

While no consensus on the optimal salvage treatment exists, only 3% of these patients will get salvage radical prostatectomies due to the assumed technical challenges of this procedure.

Our goal is to analyze the perioperative, oncologic and functional outcomes of patients undergoing salvage robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (sRARP) after primary treatment failure.

Data were prospectively collected and retrospectively reviewed from a combined database of more than 14,800 patients who had undergone RARP. We identified 96 patients who underwent sRARP after RT or ablative techniques. Primary cancer characteristics, surgical data, pathology results, perioperative complications, oncologic and functional outcomes were analyzed.

Sixty-eight patients (70.8%) received some source of RT as a primary treatment. The remaining 28 patients: 18 (18.75%) received cryotherapy, seven (7.92%) HIFU, one electroporation, one microwave and one Tookad. complication was seen in 25 (26%) patients (21 minor and 4 major complications). Anastomotic leak was the most common complication, found in 14 (14.6%) of the cases. No rectal injuries occurred. Fourteen (15%) patients had a biochemical failure after a median follow-up of 14 (IQR 5-24) months. Fifty-five (57.3%) of them self-reported to be pad-free at 12 months. Seventeen (55%) of 31 pre-operative potent patients (SHIM score > 21), were potent with or without the use of PDE5i at 12 months.

sRARP is a feasible alternative for PCa recurrence. Technically the procedure is challenging and should be performed by experienced PCa surgeons. Major complications are uncommon. Continence and potency recovery is possible, but at lower rates than for non-salvage patients.