Improving oncologic outcomes after robotic radical prostatectomy

Abstract

The oncologic efficacy of robotic assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy vs an open surgical approach is the key comparative outcome measure. Proponents of open surgery emphasize the importance of tactile feedback while robotic surgeons extoll the advantages of magnified visualization. With both approaches, the experience and skill of the surgeon are highly influential. Comparison of positive margin rates between different series is problematic because of differences in the manner of pathologic preparation and reporting. Evaluation of biochemical recurrence is more objective measure. Although some studies show superior results for one approach over another, the balance of studies show oncologic equivalence between different surgical approaches