Impact of fellowship training on one-year outcomes of robotic-assisted prostatectomy - Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We examined 1-year functional and oncologic outcomes for robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) from a single surgeon entering practice directly from fellowship training.

METHODS: We prospectively analyzed the first 100 RALPs performed by one fellowship-trained robotic surgeon. Data included resident involvement during the procedure, perioperative data, and surgical complications (scored using the Clavien grading system). Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) data were captured using the EPIC questionnaire at baseline (prior to surgery) and at 1-year follow-up.

RESULTS: Eighty-two patients (82%) had hospital stays of 2 days or less without any postoperative complications, urethral catheter removal was within 14 days of surgery, and none required readmission to the hospital. The overall positive margin rate was 21% (19% for patients with T2 disease). Clavien grades 1 through 4 complication rates, respectively, were 4%, 10%, 1%, and 1%. There were no deaths, reoperations, or bladder neck contractures. One patient (1%) required a blood transfusion within the 90-day perioperative period. At 1-year follow-up, 78% of patients reported wearing no pads; 41.3% of patients with baseline and 1-year follow-up data reported having intercourse.

CONCLUSIONS: We provide baseline data pertaining to the morbidity, oncologic efficacy, continence results, and potency outcomes of new surgeons performing RALP.

Written by:
Thiel DD, Hutchinson R, Diehl N, Tavlarides A, Williams A, Parker AS.   Are you the author?
Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida 32224, USA.

Reference: JSLS. 2012 Apr-Jun;16(2):195-201.
doi: 10.4293/108680812X13291597717220


PubMed Abstract
PMID: 23477165

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