Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2025
Retzius-Sparing Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy
Published on: May 19, 2022
Randomized controlled trial comparing open anterograde anatomic radical retropubic prostatectomy with retrograde
Fabricio B Carrerette1, Daniela B Rodeiro1, Rui T F Filho1
1Department of Surgery (Urology), Pedro Ernesto University Hospital of State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Objective:
Radical prostatectomy is the recommended treatment for localized prostate cancer; however, it is an invasive procedure that can leave serious morbidity. Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy was introduced with the aim of reducing postoperative morbidity and facilitating rapid recovery compared to the traditional Walsh's open radical retropubic prostatectomy. Therefore, a protocol was developed to perform an open prostatectomy comparable to that performed by robotics, but without involving novel instrumentation.
Methods:
A total of 220 patients diagnosed with localized prostate cancer underwent radical prostatectomy. They were divided into two groups: anterograde technique (115 patients) and the retrograde method (105 patients). The study outcomes were observed 3 months after surgery.
Results:
No differences were found in terms of surgical time, hospital stay, and suction drainage. However, reduced bleeding was observed in the anterograde technique (p=0.0003), with rapid anastomosis duration (p=0.005). Among the patients, 60.9% undergoing the anterograde technique were continent 3 months after surgery compared to 42.9% treated by the retrograde method (p=0.007). Additionally, fewer complications in terms of the number (p=0.007) and severity (p=0.0006) were observed in the anterograde technique.
Conclusion:
The anterograde method displayed increased efficiency in reducing complications, compared to the retrograde technique.
