[Same day discharge robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) - time for a shift in paradigm?]

In late November 2024 we started a new programme for RARP in the Norrbotten region in rural Sweden, with all patients considered suitable for RARP to have the procedure as a same day discharge (SDD) procedure.We can now report the results of our first year with SDD RARP. 59 patients were planned for SDD RARP, none were planned for overnight stay. 55 patients were successfully discharged within 5 hours after surgery. 4 patients had to stay at the hospital the first night following surgery, 3 of which were discharged before 8 am the first day after surgery. We use only paracetamol prior to surgery and total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) during the procedure, in combination with transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block. We have shown that SDD RARP is safe and feasible in routine health care in Sweden. If SDD RARP is implemented nationwide more than 2 500 inpatient days per year in Sweden can be saved.