[Radical robot prostatectomy: oncological outcomes]

Abstract

Objectives: To review the current literature on oncologic outcomes following robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

Methods: A systematic MEDLINE search was performed to retrieve articles relating to oncologic outcomes with robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy. Two reviewers independently selected studies, assessed their methodological quality and extracted data.

Results: Positive surgical margin rates in RALP are commensurate to contemporary open and standard laparoscopic series. Surgical experience and refinement of technique helped decrease positive margins. Long-term biochemical disease-free survival (PSA <0.1 ng/ml) following RALP is currently unknown, with only 2 series reporting data with > 12 month follow-up.

Conclusions: RALP is a safe and reproducible treatment modality for organ-confined prostate cancer and provides excellent short-term oncological control. Larger studies with long-term oncologic follow-up are needed to establish the efficacy compared to more traditional surgical approaches.