Laparoscopic simple prostatectomy: a large single-center prospective cohort study

The aim of our study was to analyze outcomes and safety of laparoscopic simple prostatectomy (LSP) in a high-volume center.

A consecutive series of men with lower urinary tract symptoms and large prostates (>80 cc) prospectively enrolled between November 2015 and December 2017 in one center. All patients underwent laparoscopic simple prostatectomy. Outcomes were evaluated considering the trifecta favorable outcome which was defined as a combination of the following items: 1) no perioperative complications; 2) postoperative IPSS <8; 3) postoperative Qmax >15 mL/s. Complications were evaluated according to the modified Clavien classification system. Univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of a positive trifecta outcome.

Overall 272 patients were enrolled. At three months after surgery median IPSS total score was 4 (IQR: 3-7), median IPSS QoL was 1 (IQR:1-2), median prostate-specific antigen was 0.53 (IQR: 0.33-1.00) ng/ml and median Qmax was 23 (IQR: 17-30) mL/s. All these parameters improved statistically when compared to baseline (P<0.001). The overall complication rate was 21% however most of the complications were low grade complications according to modified Clavien-Dindo classification (grade ≤2). Overall, 68% of the patients presented a positive trifecta outcome. On multivariate analysis only preoperative hemoglobin and hospital stay were confirmed predictors of positive trifecta outcome.

LSP represents a safe and effective procedure in the treatment of large adenomas. Although RCTs are needed before reaching definitive conclusions, LSP is a promising technique for patients with LUTS and large prostates.