Robotic Radical Prostatectomy at a Teaching Community Hospital: Outcomes and Safety

OBJECTIVES: This study describes the early experience of robotic prostatectomy exclusively at a teaching community hospital. METHODS: This is a retrospective report of 153 consecutive patients on whom 4 physicians were the operating surgeon. RESULTS: The average hospital stay was 1.5 days, the mean operative time was 175 minutes, and the estimated operative blood loss was <300mL. The perioperative complication rate was 7.8% (12/153). The prostate-specific antigen failure rate was 2% (2/114). Urinary continence was maintained in 98% of patients 9 months after surgery. Postoperative Gleason scores differed significantly from preoperative biopsy results (P<0.001). Pathological records reported positive margins in 35% (54/153) of specimens. T3 tumors had positive margins more than twice as often as T2 tumors (P<0.002). Surgeon experience correlated with shorter operative times (P<0.001), but not with positive margins. Increasing body mass index was associated with increased operating time (P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Robotic prostatectomy appears to be a safe and successful option for prostate cancer treatment in a teaching community hospital.