Perineoscopic radical prostatectomy: A novel surgical technique for the treatment of prostate cancer

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this article is to discuss the technical details of perineoscopic radical prostatectomy (perineoscopic-RP), which we performed for the first time as a surgical treatment for prostate cancer (PCa), and to present the outcomes of three patients who underwent this procedure. Material and methods: Using a robotic scope as an optical system, we performed perineoscopic-RP in 3 patients in March 2018. Technical details of the procedure have been explained step-by-step in this article. Preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative data of all the patients was analyzed. Results: Perineoscopic-RP was completed successfully without the need to convert to other approaches and/or techniques in all three patients. The patients were in a low-risk group for PCa. The mean time that elapsed to reach the prostate apex was 50±3.6 minutes, including the time required to install the optic and retractor system. The mean total operative time was 144.3±8.4 minutes. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed. Surgical margins were negative in all patients. Incontinence was observed in 2 patients after the removal of the Foley catheter. All patients achieved complete continence in the 3rd month during the follow-up. Conclusion: This technique, of which we presented the initial results in this article, can be successfully performed as a surgical intervention method for PCa. Prospective and comparative studies with larger patient series are required to place this method in routine practice.