Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy in patient with previous intersphincteric resection for rectal cancer

There are often opportunities to consider treatment strategies for synchronous or metachronous prostate cancer with colorectal cancer. Performing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer following previous rectal cancer surgery in cases involving anal-preserving surgeries such as low anterior resection or intersphincteric resection can be challenging because of the possibility of adhesions.

A 74-year-old man who had undergone laparoscopic intersphincteric resection for rectal cancer was diagnosed with prostate cancer. The patient desired to undergo robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. During surgery, we observed the absence of Denonvillier's fascia on the dorsal surface of the prostate, the intestinal anastomosis was distal to the vesicourethral anastomosis, and the rectum was replaced with a peristaltic sigmoid colon with minimal adhesions.

Periprostatic conditions vary depending on previous rectal surgical approaches. It is crucial to confirm the previous surgical approach for rectal cancer when performing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy following rectal cancer surgery.