Da Vinci robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: initial experience in 50 consecutive cases

Objective: To report our initial experience in 50 cases submitted to a Robotic Radical Prostatectomy (RRP), evaluating results and the learning curve. Material and Methods: From january to october 2010 we performed 50 consecutives cases of RRP with the da Vinci S-HD Surgical System (R). The database was performed prospectively, and was analyzed retrospectively. We evaluate demographic data (age, body mass index) and perioperative data such as clinical stage, preoperative PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen), Gleason Score, ASA, operative times, estimated blood loss, morbidity, hospital stay, time of bladder catheterization and positive margins. A statistical analysis of exponential regression was performed to estimate the learning curve. Results: The mean age was 62 years and the most frequent clinical stage was T c (84%). The mean PSA was 6.36 ng/mL and in 50% of the patients the Gleason Score was 7. The median surgical time was 199 minutes. The mean blood loss was 666 mL (50-4.000 mL). The hospital stay and the average bladder catheterization time were 2 and 6 days, respectively. There were 2 conversions to a laparoscopic approach, none to open surgery, and 8% of postoperative complication (all Clavien I). Inmediat urinary continence and potency rates were 88.3% and 33.3%, respectively. When comparing the 25 initial cases versus the last 25, there was a decrease in surgical time and estimated blood loss (254 minutes vs 189 minutes and 876 mL vs 467 mL, respectively). We also found a lower rate of positive margins (20% vs 12%). The learning curve statistically estimated is 40 procedures. Conclusion: The surgeon's experience determine a decrease in surgical time, intraoperative bleeding and especially in the rate of positive margins.