The learning curve of robotic assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: what is the evidence?

Abstract

Objective: The robotic technique has been associated with a decreased LC for radical prostatectomy. The objective is to review the literature in search of any evidence that the RALP is able to shorten the learning curve for radical prostatectomy compared to the open and pure laparoscopic techniques.

Methods: A Medline search of the English-language literature was performed to identify all papers published relating to RALP and LC.

Results: There is substantial variability in the RALP literature regarding the number of cases a surgeon needs to achieve and sustain in time acceptable operative times and reasonable outcomes. The information on RALP LC comes from isolated single institution reports with questionable methodological analyses. There are no studies comparing the LC of RALP with open or pure laparoscopic techniques.

Conclusions: There is no reliable information to support the notion that RALP shortens the prostatectomy LC. The evidence is limited to case series, with a Level of Evidence 4.