Early Experience of Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy
Sittiporn Srinualnad MD*, FRCS (Glasgow)*
Affiliation : * Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok
Introduction: Quality of life after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy has been a discussed issue among
patients. Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy (RALRP) has been shown to provide the best
surgical outcomes in terms of potency and continence. The program of robotic prostatectomy was started at
Siriraj Hospital. Early result of the author’s experience was evaluated.
Objective : To evaluate the feasibility of Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy done at Siriraj
Hospital.
Material and Method: From March 2007 to November 2007, 34 patients (Group 1) with localized prostate
cancer underwent Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy (RALRP). Perioperative data was
evaluated and compared to those of 34 patients (group 2) who underwent Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy
(LRP) during the same period by the same surgeon.
Results : There were no demographic differences between the two groups. Catheterization time was signifi-
cantly shortened in the RALRP group (p < 0.05). There was no major complication in the RALRP group, one
LRP patient suffered bilateral ureteric injuries and required bilateral reimplantation. In pathological T2
patients of the last 17 consecutive cases, positive surgical margin rate was similar (14%) in both groups.
Conclusion : The author early experience has shown that RALRP is feasible and safe. Oncological outcome
can be improved with more experience and long term follow up is needed to evaluate functional outcome
including potency rate and incontinence rate.
Keywords : Radical prostatectomy, Prostate cancer, Robotic prostatectomy, Impotency
