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Technical Refinements in Superextended Robot-assisted Radical Prostatectomy for Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer Patients at Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Elio Mazzone, Paolo Dell’Oglio, Giuseppe Rosiello, Stefano Puliatti, Nicholas Brook, Filippo Turri, Alessandro Larcher, Sergi Beato, Iulia Andras, Pawel Wisz, Abhishek Pandey, Ruben De Groote, Peter Schatteman, Geert De Naeyer, Frederiek D’Hondt, Alexandre Mottrie

Abstract

Background: The feasibility and efficacy of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) in locally advanced prostate cancer (PCa) patients with iT3 lesion at magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are currently not explored.

Objective: To describe our revised RARP technique (ie, superextended RARP [SE-RARP]) for PCa patients with posterior iT3a or iT3b at MRI.

Design, setting, and participants: Data from 89 patients with posterior iT3a or T3b disease who underwent SE-RARP at a single high-volume centre between 2015 and 2018 were analysed.

Surgical procedure: RARP was performed using a DaVinci Xi system. The surgical approach provided an inter- or extrafascial RARP where Denonvilliers’ fascia and perirectal fat were dissected free and left on the posterior surface of the seminal vesicles.

Measurements: Perioperative outcomes, and intra- and postoperative complications were assessed. Postoperative outcomes were assessed in patients with complete follow-up data (n = 78). Biochemical recurrence (BCR) was defined as two consecutive prostate-specific antigen values of ≥0.2 ng/ml. Urinary continence (UC) recovery was defined as the use of zero or one safety pad. Kaplan-Meier and multivariable Cox regression models were used.

Results and limitations: The median operative time, blood loss, and length of stay were 204 min, 300 ml, and 5 d, respectively. The median bladder catheterisation time was 5 d. Overall, 28%, 28%, and 27% of patients had pathological grade group (GG) 4-5, pT3b, and positive surgical margins (PSMs), respectively. Three patients (3.4%) experienced intraoperative complications. Among patients with available follow-up data (n = 78), 14 (18%) experienced 30-d postoperative complications. The median follow-up was 19 mo. Overall, 11 patients received additional treatment. At 2 yr of follow-up, BCR-free and additional treatment-free survival were 55% and 66%, respectively. Pathological GG 4-5 (hazard ratio [HR] 3.2) and PSM (HR 5.8) were independent predictors of recurrence, as well as of additional treatment use (HR 5.6 for GG 4-5 and 5.2 for PSM). The 1-yr UC recovery was 84%.

Conclusions: We presented our revised RARP technique applicable to patients with posterior iT3a or iT3b at preoperative MRI. This technique is associated with good morbidity and continence recovery rates, and might guarantee biochemical control of the disease and postpone the use of additional treatments in patients with low-grade and negative surgical margins.

Patient summary: A revised robot-assisted radical prostatectomy technique applicable to prostate cancer patients with posterior iT3a or iT3b lesion at magnetic resonance imaging was described. This novel technique is feasible and safe in expert hands.

Keywords: Locally advanced; Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging; Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy; Seminal vesicles invasion; Surgical technique; prostate cancer.

Copyright © 2020 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Stefano Puliatti

Stefano Puliatti

Il Dr. Puliatti si è laureato in Medicina e chirurgia nel 2012 presso l’Università degli Studi di Modena ed ha poi conseguito il titolo di specialista in Urologia con il massimo dei voti presso lo stesso Ateneo. Da Luglio 2019 ricopre il ruolo di Assistant Professor in Urologia presso l'Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia. Da Luglio 2019 ricopre anche il ruolo di Deputy Medical Director of ORSI Academy, Melle, Belgio e svolge attività clinica e chirurgica presso OLV (Onze Lieve Vrouwziekenhuis) Hospital in Aalst, Belgio (direttore: Prof. Alex Mottrie). La sua formazione si è incentrata in particolare sulla Chirurgia robotica e oncologica delle vie urinarie, avendo come principali campi di applicazione anche tumori e malattie della prostata, tumori del rene e delle alte vie urinarie, disturbi minzionali, calcolosi delle vie urinarie. È inoltre autore e coautore di articoli scientifici e capitoli di libro in ambito urologico. Attualmente svolge attività in libera professione presso diverse strutture situate a Modena e Provincia.