Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: experience with 145 procedures

Encouraged by the groups in Paris, we performed 145 laparoscopic radical pr ostatectomies between June 1999 and the end of November 2000. The indicatio n for laparoscopic prostatectomy is the same as for open surgery an organ-c onfined cancer. Previous abdominal surgery, transurethral resection, and/or relative adipos ity are not considered to be contraindications for this laparoscopic proced ure. The mean operating time was 255 min;the last 60 procedures took an ave rage of 200 min. In no case was it necessary to convert to open surgery. Wo rthy of note was the low blood loss of 185 ml on average so that in 98% of the patients no blood transfusion was required. After completing the learni ng curve, the average indwelling catheter time was only 5.5 days. The posto perative complication rate was 11.7%, consisting mainly of minor complicati ons. Also with regard to continence and potency, the results were represent ative. Postoperatively, 75%, 86%, 92%, and 93% of the patients were contine nt after 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, respectively. In our opinion,laparoscopic radical prostatectomy is an alternative to open prostatectomy, offering a number of advantages for the patient and surgeon as well.