Robotic-assisted Urethra-sparing Simple Prostatectomy Via an Extraperitoneal Approach.

OBJECTIVE

To present an original technique of robotic-assisted urethra-sparing simple prostatectomy (RAUSP) for treating patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From April 2015 to December 2016, 27 patients underwent RAUSP via an extraperitoneal approach. Baseline patient characteristics, perioperative outcomes, pathologic outcomes, postoperative Clavien complications, International Prostate Symptom Score, International Index of Erectile Function, and ejaculatory function were assessed.

RESULTS

Twenty-six patients (96.3%) successfully underwent RAUSP, one patient (3.7%) was converted to simple prostatectomy. Median operative time was 169 minutes (interquartile range: 150-185); median estimated blood loss was 235 mL (interquartile range: 180-300). Seven cases (26.9%) required urethral repair secondary to inadvertent urethrotomy. Mean catheterization time was 1.6 days (range 1-5). Clavien complications were reported, 6 being low grade (grade 1 or 2) with a single 3a complication (gross hematuria requiring bladder irrigation). Mean follow-up duration was 16.4 months (range 9-30). Postoperative questionnaire demonstrated that international prostate symptom score (P < .001) and quality of life score (P < .001) were significantly improved postoperatively. A total of 14 patients reported erectile function, 13 of which had normal ejaculation, only 1 complained retrograde ejaculation.

CONCLUSION

RAUSP is technically feasible for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Our data indicate that patients have short catheterization time, an acceptable risk profile, significant improvements of voiding function and maintaining antegrade ejaculation following this urethral-sparing technique.