Use of a flexible carbon dioxide laser fiber for precise dissection of the neurovascular bundle during robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy.

INTRODUCTION

Carbon dioxide (CO(2)) lasers deliver energy with minimal thermal spread to tissues during dissection. Excess thermal spread during dissection of the neurovascular bundle (NVB) can affect potency in men after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). We report on a novel delivery mechanism for CO(2) laser energy through a flexible fiber to enhance accuracy of NVB dissection during RARP.

MATERIALS

A feasibility study of the OmniGuide BeamPath URO-LG CO(2) laser fiber for NVB dissection was performed on 10 patients with primary Gleason 3 T1c prostate cancer during RARP. Bilateral lateral fascial antegrade nerve sparing was performed. We evaluated fiber performance, safety, and efficacy.

RESULTS

The fiber was inserted through the 12-mm assistant's port and easily manipulated by robotic instruments. Once pedicles were clipped and dissected, the laser fiber was effective in establishing planes of dissection between prostatic capsule and NVB. The endoscopically discernable thermal laser footprint was small, with minimal thermal spread during nerve sparing, meticulous dissection of NVB, and fascial layer identification. Although the laser did provide extremely accurate dissection, it was unable to serve as an adequate means of larger vessel coagulation.

CONCLUSIONS

The flexible CO(2) laser fiber was easily manipulated. Identification of fascial layers during nerve sparing was facilitated with the fiber. Long-term follow-up is necessary to determine efficacy of this technology versus conventional techniques on the NVB. Larger studies are currently in progress to determine if use of the flexible CO(2) laser fiber results in improvements in functional outcomes with regard to return of sexual potency after RARP.