The impact of low pressure pneumoperitoneum in robotic assisted radical prostatectomy II: a prospective, randomized, double blinded trial.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze postoperative ileus rates and postoperative complications between the different pneumoperitoneum settings. The secondary objective was to evaluate narcotic use and intraoperative blood loss between the different pneumoperitoneum settings. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, double blinded study was conducted at pneumoperitoneum pressures of either 12 mmHg or 15 mmHg for patients undergoing robotic assisted radical prostatectomy with bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection by a single high volume surgeon. RESULTS: The risk of ileus in the 12 mmHg group was 1.9% (2/105) compared to 3.2% (3/93) in the 15 mmHg group (OR 0.58, 95%CI 0.1-3.6). There was no difference in the risk of any complication with a complication rate of 4.8% (5/105) in the 12 mmHg arm compared to 4.3% (4/93) in the 15 mmHg arm (OR 1.1, 95% CI 0.3 - 4.3). CONCLUSION: Pneumoperitoneum pressure setting of 12 mmHg has no significant difference to 15 mmHg in the rate of postoperative complications, narcotic use, and intraoperative bleeding. Additional research is warranted to understand the optimal.

The impact of low pressure pneumoperitoneum in robotic assisted radical prostatectomy: a prospective, randomized, double blinded trial.

BACKGROUND: Robotic surgery has revolutionized postoperative outcomes across surgical specialties. However, the use of pneumoperitoneum comes with known risks given the change in physiological parameters that accompany its utilization. A recent internal review found a 7% decrease in postoperative ileus rates when utilizing a pneumoperitoneum of 12 mmHg over the standard 15 mmHg in robotic assisted radical prostatectomies (RARP). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to prospectively evaluate the utility of lower pressure pneumoperitoneum by comparing 8 mmHg and 12 mmHg during RARP. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTCIPANTS: Patients were randomly assigned to undergo robotic assisted radical prostatectomy at a pneumoperitoneum pressure of 12 mmHg or 8 mmHg. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The primary outcome was development of postoperative ileus and secondary outcomes were length of operation, estimated blood loss and positive surgical margin status. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: A total of 201 patients were analyzed; 96 patients at 8 mmHg and 105 patients at 12 mmHg. The groups were adequately matched as there were no differences between demographic parameters or medical comorbidities. There was a decrease in postoperative ileus rates with lower pneumoperitoneum pressures; 2% at 8 mmHg and 4.8% at 12 mmHg. There were no clinically significant differences in estimated blood loss, total length of operative time and positive margin status. CONCLUSIONS: Lower pressure pneumoperitoneum during robotic assisted radical prostatectomy is non-inferior to higher pressure pneumoperitoneum levels and the experienced surgeon may safely perform this operation at 8 mmHg to take advantage of the proposed benefits.

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy is Not Associated with Adverse Perioperative Outcomes after Robot-Assisted Radical Cystectomy: A Case for Increased Use from the IRCC.

PURPOSE: We sought to determine the trend of neoadjuvant chemotherapy use for nonmetastatic muscle invasive urothelial bladder cancer and whether it is associated with adverse perioperative morbidity after robot-assisted radical cystectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the IRCC (International Robotic Cystectomy Consortium) database between 2006 and 2017. After excluding patients with nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer the patients were divided into 2 groups, including those who did vs did not receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Data were reviewed for demographics, preoperative, operative and 90-day perioperative outcomes. We used the Cochran-Armitage trend test to assess trends of neoadjuvant chemotherapy associations with high grade and overall complications with time. Multivariate stepwise regression analyses were done to determine whether neoadjuvant chemotherapy was associated with prolonged operative time, 90-day postoperative complications, readmissions, reoperations and mortality after robot-assisted radical cystectomy. RESULTS: A total of 298 patients (26%) received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. These patients were younger (age 67 vs 69 years, p=0.01) and more frequently had an ASA™ (American Society of Anesthesiologists™) score of 3 or greater (62% vs 55%, p=0.02) and pathological T3 stage or greater disease (28% vs 22%, p=0.04). The use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy increased significantly from 10% in 2006 to 2007 to 42% in 2016 to 2017 (p <0.01). On multivariate analysis neoadjuvant chemotherapy was not significantly associated with prolonged operative time, hospital stay, 90-day postoperative complications, reoperation or mortality. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was associated with 90-day readmissions after robot-assisted radical cystectomy (OR 5.90, 95% CI 3.30-10.90, p <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy utilization has significantly increased in the last decade. It was not associated with perioperative surgical morbidity after robot-assisted radical cystectomy.

A comparative propensity score-matched analysis of perioperative outcomes of intracorporeal vs extracorporeal urinary diversion after robot-assisted radical cystectomy: results from the International Robotic Cystectomy Consortium.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the perioperative outcomes of intracorporeal (ICUD) vs extracorporeal urinary diversion (ECUD) after robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the prospectively maintained International Robotic Cystectomy Consortium (IRCC) database. A total of 972 patients from 28 institutions who underwent RARC were included. Propensity score matching was used to match patients based on age, gender, body mass index (BMI), American Society of Anesthesiologists Score (ASA) score, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score, prior radiation and abdominal surgery, receipt of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and clinical staging. Matched cohorts were compared. Multivariate stepwise logistic and linear regression models were fit to evaluate variables associated with receiving ICUD, operating time, 90-day high-grade complications (Clavien-Dindo Classification Grade ≥III), and 90-day readmissions after RARC. RESULTS: Utilisation of ICUD increased from 0% in 2005 to 95% in 2018. The ICUD patients had more overall complications (66% vs 58%, P = 0.01) and readmissions (27% vs 17%, P = 0.01), but not high-grade complications (21% vs 24%, P = 0.22). A more recent RC era and ileal conduit diversion were associated with receiving an ICUD. Higher BMI, ASA score ≥3, and receiving a neobladder were associated with longer operating times. Shorter operating time was associated with male gender, older age, ICUD, and centres with a larger annual average RC volume. Longer intensive care unit stay was associated with 90-day high-grade complications. Higher CCI score, prior radiation therapy, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and ICUD were associated with a higher risk of 90-day readmissions. CONCLUSIONS: Utilisation of ICUD has increased over the past decade. ICUD was associated with more overall complications and readmissions compared to ECUD, but not high-grade complications.

Early Oncologic Failure after Robot-Assisted Radical Cystectomy: Results from the International Robotic Cystectomy Consortium.

PURPOSE: We sought to investigate the prevalence and variables associated with early oncologic failure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the IRCC (International Radical Cystectomy Consortium) database of patients who underwent robot-assisted radical cystectomy since 2003. The final cohort comprised a total of 1,894 patients from 23 institutions in 11 countries. Early oncologic failure was defined as any disease relapse within 3 months of robot-assisted radical cystectomy. All institutions were surveyed for the pneumoperitoneum pressure used, breach of oncologic surgical principles, and techniques of specimen and lymph node removal. A multivariate model was fit to evaluate predictors of early oncologic failure. The Kaplan-Meier method was applied to depict disease specific and overall survival, and Cox proportional regression analysis was used to evaluate predictors of disease specific and overall survival. RESULTS: A total of 305 patients (22%) experienced disease relapse, which was distant in 220 (16%), local recurrence in 154 (11%), peritoneal carcinomatosis in 17 (1%) and port site recurrence in 5 (0.4%). Early oncologic failure developed in 71 patients (5%) at a total of 10 institutions. The incidence of early oncologic failure decreased from 10% in 2006 to 6% in 2015. On multivariate analysis the presence of any complication (OR 2.87, 95% CI 1.38-5.96, p = 0.004), pT3 or greater disease (OR 3.73, 95% CI 2.00-6.97, p <0.001) and nodal involvement (OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.21-3.80, p = 0.008) was a significant predictor of early oncologic failure. Patients with early oncologic failure demonstrated worse disease specific and overall survival (23% and 13%, respectively) at 1 and 3 years compared to patients who experienced later or no recurrences (log rank p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of early oncologic failure following robot-assisted radical cystectomy has decreased with time. Disease related rather than technical related factors have a major role in early oncologic failure after robot-assisted radical cystectomy.

Development of a patient and institutional-based model for estimation of operative times for robot-assisted radical cystectomy: results from the International Robotic Cystectomy Consortium.

OBJECTIVES: To design a methodology to predict operative times for robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) based on variation in institutional, patient, and disease characteristics to help in operating room scheduling and quality control. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The model included preoperative variables and therefore can be used for prediction of surgical times: institutional volume, age, gender, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, history of prior surgery and radiation, clinical stage, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, type, technique of diversion, and the extent of lymph node dissection. A conditional inference tree method was used to fit a binary decision tree predicting operative time. Permutation tests were performed to determine the variables having the strongest association with surgical time. The data were split at the value of this variable resulting in the largest difference in means for the surgical time across the split. This process was repeated recursively on the resultant data sets until the permutation tests showed no significant association with operative time. RESULTS: In all, 2 134 procedures were included. The variable most strongly associated with surgical time was type of diversion, with ileal conduits being 70 min shorter (P < 0.001). Amongst patients who received neobladders, the type of lymph node dissection was also strongly associated with surgical time. Amongst ileal conduit patients, institutional surgeon volume (>66 RARCs) was important, with those with a higher volume being 55 min shorter (P < 0.001). The regression tree output was in the form of box plots that show the median and ranges of surgical times according to the patient, disease, and institutional characteristics. CONCLUSION: We developed a method to estimate operative times for RARC based on patient, disease, and institutional metrics that can help operating room scheduling for RARC.

The role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for patients with variant histology muscle invasive bladder cancer undergoing robotic cystectomy: Data from the International Robotic Cystectomy Consortium.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) before robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) for patients with variant histology (VH) muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). METHODS: Retrospective review of 988 patients who underwent RARC (2004-2023) for MIBC. Primary outcomes included the utilization of NAC among this cohort of patients, frequency of downstaging, and discordance between preoperative and final pathology in terms of the presence of VH. Secondary outcomes included disease-specific (DSS), recurrence-free (RFS), and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: A total of 349 (35%) had VH on transurethral resection or at RARC. The 4 most common VH subgroups were squamous (n = 94), adenocarcinoma (n = 64), micropapillary (n = 34), and sarcomatoid (n = 21). There was no difference in OS (log-rank: P = 0.43 for adenocarcinoma, P = 0.12 for micropapillary, P = 0.55 for sarcomatoid, P = 0.29 for squamous), RFS (log-rank: P = 0.25 for adenocarcinoma, P = 0.35 for micropapillary, P = 0.83 for sarcomatoid, P = 0.79 for squamous), or DSS (log-rank P = 0.91 for adenocarcinoma, P = 0.15 for micropapillary, 0.28 for sarcomatoid, P = 0.92 for squamous) among any of the VH based on receipt of NAC. Patients with squamous histology who received NAC were more likely to be downstaged on final pathology compared to those who did not (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Our data showed no significant difference in OS, RFS, or DSS for patients with VH MIBC cancer who received NAC before RARC. Patients with the squamous variant who received NAC had more pathologic downstaging compared to those who did not. The role of NAC among patients with VH is yet to be defined. Results were limited by small number in each individual group and lack of exact proportion of VH.

Analysis of Complications After Robot-Assisted Radical Cystectomy Between 2002-2021.

OBJECTIVE: To identify trends in complications following robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) using a multi-institutional database, the International Robotic Cystectomy Consortium (IRCC). METHODS: A retrospective review of the IRCC database was performed (2976 patients, 26 institutions from 11 countries). Postoperative complications were categorized as overall or high grade (≥ Clavien Dindo III) and were further categorized based on type/organ site. Descriptive statistics was used to summarize the data. Multivariate analysis (MVA) was used to identify variables associated with overall and high-grade complications.  Cochran-Armitage trend test was used to describe the trend of complications over time. RESULTS: 1777 (60%) patients developed postoperative complications following RARC, 51% of complications occurred within 30 days of RARC, 19% between 30-90 days, and 30% after 90 days. 835 patients (28%) experienced high-grade complications. Infectious complications (25%) were the most prevalent, while bleeding (1%) was the least. The incidence of complications was stable between 2002-2021. Gastrointestinal and neurologic postoperative complications increased significantly (P < .01, for both) between 2005 and 2020 while thromboembolic (P = .03) and wound complications (P < .01) decreased. On MVA, BMI (OR 1.03, 95%CI 1.01-1.05, P < .01), prior abdominal surgery (OR 1.26, 95%CI 1.03-1.56, P = .03), receipt of neobladder (OR 1.52, 95%CI 1.17-1.99, P < .01), positive nodal disease (OR 1.33, 95%CI 1.05-1.70, P = .02), length of inpatient stay (OR 1.04, 95%CI 1.02-1.05, P < .01) and ICU admission (OR 1.67, 95%CI 1.36-2.06, P < .01) were associated with high-grade complications. CONCLUSION: Overall and high-grade complications after RARC remained stable between 2002-2021. GI and neurologic complications increased, while thromboembolic and wound complications decreased.

Are Postoperative Laboratory Studies Following Robotic Assisted Radical Prostatectomy Necessary?

INTRODUCTION: We evaluated the necessity of obtaining routine postoperative laboratory studies, such as complete blood count and basic metabolic panel, after robotic assisted radical prostatectomy. METHODS: This study is a retrospective review of 200 robotic assisted radical prostatectomy cases performed over a year and a half at our institution. The incidences of laboratory abnormalities were examined along with any clinical intervention. Patient demographics, tumor stage, Gleason score, operative time, estimated blood loss, length of hospital stay, presence of comorbidities and postoperative laboratory studies were extracted from the electronic medical record. The costs of laboratory studies were tabulated to further analyze potential savings to patients. RESULTS: Only 15 (7.5%) patients demonstrated laboratory abnormalities that required medical intervention. Of these 15 patients, all demonstrated hypokalemia that was treated with potassium supplementation. Patients with longer lengths of stay demonstrated higher percentages of medical intervention. The costs of these laboratory studies were calculated at $8,840. CONCLUSIONS: Lower blood loss and transfusion rates with the advent of robotic assisted radical prostatectomy along with the results described in this study provide greater evidence that postoperative laboratory studies may be futile. By eliminating these laboratory studies, substantial cost savings are realized if extrapolated across the United States. This study is limited in its evaluation of complications from different types of medical centers, higher risk patients, postoperative laboratory studies impact on symptomatic patients, and absence of emergency room visits or hospital readmissions.

Upstaging and Survival Outcomes for Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer After Radical Cystectomy: Results from the International Robotic Cystectomy Consortium.

Introduction: We sought to describe the incidence, risk factors, and survival outcomes associated with pathologic upstaging from non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) to muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) after robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC). Methods: We reviewed the International Robotic Cystectomy Consortium database between 2004 and 2020. Upstaging was defined as ≥pT2 or pathologic node positive (pN+) at final pathology analysis from clinical

Validation of a high fidelity adult ureteroscopy and renoscopy simulator.

PURPOSE: Surgical simulation technology may efficiently train and accurately assess the acquisition of many skills. Surgical simulators often lack realism and can be expensive at $3,000 to more than $60,000. We assessed the face, content and construct validity of a newly developed, anatomically accurate, reasonably priced high fidelity ureteroscopy and renoscopy trainer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 46 participants, including attending urologists, urology residents, medical students and industry representatives, assessed the face and content validity of the simulator using a standard questionnaire. Ten experienced ureteroscopists with greater than 30 procedures per year and 10 novice ureteroscopists with 0 were assessed on the ability to perform flexible ureteroscopy, renoscopy and intrarenal basket extraction of a lower pole calculus using the adult ureteroscopy trainer (Ideal Anatomic Modeling, Holt, Michigan). Subject performance was assessed by an experienced ureteroscopist using a checklist, global rating scale and time to task completion. RESULTS: Of participants 100% rated the trainer as realistic and easy to use, and thought it was a good training tool, 98% thought that it would serve as a good training format and 96% would recommend it to urology trainees. All participants recommended it for use in residency programs and 96% would or would have used it during residency. Only 37.5% vs 100% of experienced vs novice ureteroscopists would use it to practice. Of participants 9% foresaw a problem with the trainer. On the trainer experienced ureteroscopists scored significantly higher on the global rating scale (mean +/- SD 33.1 +/- 1.3 vs 15.0 +/- 2.7, p <0.0001) and checklist (4.1 +/- 1.0 vs 2.4 +/- 1.1, p = 0.004), and required less time to complete the task (141.2 +/- 40.1 vs 447.2 +/- 301.7 seconds, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary study suggests the face, content and construct validity of the adult ureteroscopy trainer as a high fidelity ureteroscopy and renoscopy trainer.

Robotic management of large stone disease: a case series.

The gold standard for urologic management of large stone disease traditionally has been percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). An alternative to PCNL is robotic pyelolithotomy (RP), which continues to gain traction. This study is a retrospective review of ten cases performed over a 2 year period presenting operative outcomes for large stone disease treated with RP. The mean and standard deviation were calculated for age, body mass index, stone volume, stone diameter, pre-operative creatinine, operative time, robot-docked time, length of stay, post-operative creatinine, and estimated blood loss. In addition, results were collected for post-operative complications and secondary procedure requirements. Complete stone clearance was successful in 9 of 10 cases. The average renal function remained stable from a pre-operative creatinine of 0.917 mg/dL to a post-operative creatinine level of 0.943 mg/dL. This case series demonstrates that robotic assisted surgery has practical application when managing large stone disease.

Reduction in postoperative ileus rates utilizing lower pressure pneumoperitoneum in robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy.

Robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) is the most commonly performed surgery for prostate cancer. This is a study comparing differences in postoperative outcomes between pneumoperitoneum pressures of 15 mmHg and 12 mmHg. Retrospective chart review was performed on 400 patients undergoing RARP over a 5 year period. A combination of Fisher's exact test and ANOVA were utilized for statistical analysis. Age, BMI, Gleason score, positive margin rate, complication rates, blood loss, and operative times were similar in both groups. Length of stay and postoperative ileus rates were significantly less in the 12 mmHg group (p < 0.05). RARP can be safely performed utilizing a lower pressure pneumoperitoneum. Decreasing insufflation pressures from 15 to 12 mmHg can further lead to decreased rates of postoperative ileus.

Examining clinical outcomes utilizing low-pressure pneumoperitoneum during robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy.

The objective of the study was to assess the safety and clinical outcomes of performing RARP utilizing LPP 12 mmHg with locally confined adenocarcinoma of the prostate. Utilizing the Metro Health RALP database registry and the Michigan Urological Clinic records, we retrospectively reviewed the records of consecutive RALPs performed between December 2012 and March 2015 by a single robotic surgeon. 100 patients underwent RARP utilizing 15 mmHg of standard pressure pneumoperitoneum (SPP) and 100 patients underwent RALP utilizing 12 mmHg lower pressure pneumoperitoneum (LPP). Intraoperative parameters reviewed included operative time (OT) and blood loss (BL). Postoperative parameters reviewed included length of hospital stay (LOS), postoperative ileus, fistulas, urinary retention and hematoma formation. Surgical outcomes reviewed included pathological stage and combined Gleason score. Patient age, BMI, mean combined Gleason score and pathological stage were similar in both groups. Mean OT for the LPP group was 105.49 (66-166) and for the standard pressure pneumoperitoneum (SPP) group 111.31 (61-231) min. The length of stay in both groups was similar, averaging 1.53 (1-6) days for the LPP group and 1.57 (1-6) days for the SPP group. The LPP group had a lower postop ileus rate of 4 vs 8 % in the SPP group, but they were not statistically different. Likewise, the positive margin rate, readmission rate, hematoma rate, retention rate and urinary fistula rate were similar and not statistically different for both groups. Pneumoperitoneum of 12 mmHg is noninferior to 15 mmHg during RARP and does not alter the clinical outcomes.

Gene expression profiling of renal cell carcinoma.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a histologically diverse disease, with variable and often unpredictable clinical behavior. The prognosis worsens dramatically with the onset of clinical metastasis, and current regimens of systemic therapy yield only modest benefits for metastatic RCC. Gene expression profiling is a promising technique for refining the diagnosis and staging of RCC, as well as for highlighting potential therapeutic targets. We review the recent advances in expression profiling of RCC and discuss the clinical and biological insights obtained from these studies.

Guillain-Barre Syndrome After Robotically Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy: First Case Report.

Guillain-Barre Syndrome is a well described acute demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy with a likely autoimmune basis characterized by progressive ascending muscle paralysis. Classically, GBS is attributed to antecedent upper respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. We present the first case of GBS after Robotically Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy using the daVinci(®) Surgical System.

Comparison of robotic-assisted and open radical cystectomy in a community-based, non-tertiary health care setting.

We examined the safety and feasibility of transitioning from open radical cystectomies to robotic-assisted laparoscopic cystectomies in a community-based, non-tertiary health care setting. A retrospective review and analysis of our most recent 14 unselected consecutive patients who underwent open cystectomy was compared to our first 14 unselected consecutive patients who underwent robotic-assisted laparoscopic cystectomy. Perioperative and pathologic outcomes were reviewed to determine the safety and oncologic equivalence of the two procedures. From 2003 to 2010, 14 consecutive patients underwent an open cystectomy and from 2010 to 2012 another 14 consecutive patients underwent a robotic-assisted laparoscopic cystectomy. The operative time was significantly longer in the robotic group (6 h 23 min vs. 4 h 28 min; p < 0.05) and intraoperative blood loss was significantly lower compared with the open radical cystectomy (ORC) group (470 ml vs. 942 ml; p < 0.05). Regarding complications, 21 % of robotic-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) patients experienced major complications versus 14 % of ORC patients. Overall, there was no statistically significant difference in complication rates or length of hospital stay between the ORC and RARC groups. No pathologic differences were noted between the two groups and lymph node counts were similar in the two groups, with the median numbers being 11.9 and 9.5 in RARC and ORC, respectively. RARC can be accomplished in a community-based, non-tertiary health care setting without compromising perioperative or pathologic outcomes during the institution of this minimally invasive procedure.

Postoperative hemorrhage following robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy controlled with external penile compression.

We report a postoperative hemorrhage of the dorsal vein complex after transperitoneal robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy managed with external penile compression. Control of the dorsal vein required two sutures, and the estimated blood loss due to the procedure was 400 ml. Severe gross hematuria developed on postoperative day 2, but this quickly subsided with external compression at the base of the penis. Transfusions were required, but the patient refused re-exploration. A self-adherent bandage was applied circumferentially to the entire penis for 48 h. During this time there was no further hematuria, and the patient recovered uneventfully.

Comparative analysis of surgical margins between radical retropubic prostatectomy and RALP: are patients sacrificed during initiation of robotics program?

OBJECTIVES: To compare the incidence of positive surgical margins obtained with robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP), during the initiation of a robotics program, with that from a similarly matched cohort of open radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) cases as performed by a single surgeon. METHODS: From December 2005 to March 2008, 63 patients underwent RRP and another 50 underwent RALP by a single urologist. The records were retrospectively reviewed, and 50 RRP patients were selected from the RRP group whose records were similar to the records of the 50 patients who had undergone RALP. We compared the incidence of positive surgical margins and the location of positive margins among the 2 groups. Additional variables evaluated included the preoperative prostate-specific antigen level, preoperative Gleason score, clinical stage, postoperative Gleason score, tumor volume, and pathologic stage. RESULTS: The positive margin rate for the RRP group was 36% compared with 22% for the RALP group (P = .007). The incidence of positive margins for pathologic Stage pT2c disease in the RALP group was 22.8% compared with 42.8% in the RRP group, a statistically significant difference (P = .006). Fewer positive margins were found in the RALP Gleason score 7 group than in the RRP group, 29% vs 60%, again a statistically significant difference (P = .003). CONCLUSIONS: We present our series comparing a single urologist's positive margin rates during the learning curve of a robotics program with his experience of a similarly matched cohort of RRP patients. A statistically significant lower positive margin rate can be achieved in RALP patients even during the learning period.

Comparative analysis of effectiveness of two local anesthetic techniques in men undergoing no-scalpel vasectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effectiveness of two local anesthetic techniques in men undergoing no-scalpel vasectomy. METHODS: Before undergoing no-scalpel vasectomy, 50 men underwent separate forms of anesthesia to each side of their scrotum. One vas deferens was anesthetized with a high-pressure spray of 0.3 mL 2% lidocaine using the MadaJet Medical Injector, and the other vas deferens was anesthetized using the traditional vasal block performed with three 1.7-mL ampules of mepivacaine using a 27-gauge needle. The pain of the initial delivery of anesthesia and the pain with the subsequent vasectomy were recorded. RESULTS: Fifty men underwent no-scalpel vasectomy with a different anesthetic delivery system to each vas deferens separately. A statistically significant reduction was noted in the visual analog pain scores in favor of no-needle administration of anesthesia, 1.56 of 10 versus 2.12 of 10 (P <0.029). A reduction was noted in the visual analog pain score for the subsequent vasectomy after administration of anesthesia using the no-needle method, but this was not statistically significant (1.68 of 10 versus 1.86 of 10; P <0.66). CONCLUSIONS: No-needle anesthesia with jet injection reduced the pain associated with traditional delivery of anesthesia to the skin and vas deferens before no-scalpel vasectomy. Additional studies are needed with more subjects to evaluate whether the decrease in procedural pain is statistically significant when comparing the two types of anesthetics.