Robot-Assisted Simple Prostatectomy

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Benign prostatic obstruction is the leading cause of lower urinary tract symptoms in older males. The management strategies include medical management and surgical therapy. However when the prostate becomes very enlarged medical therapy can be ineffective and transurethral resection may not be feasible. Open simple prostatectomy has been the mainstay of therapy however robot techniques can replicate the efficacy of the open operation while reducing convalescence. MATERIALS/METHODS: We describe our technique of robot simple prostatectomy including indications, patient preparation and surgical procedures step by step. This technique approaches the prostate in a similar fashion to a robot-assisted radical prostatectomy thereby lending familiarity to this simple prostatectomy approach. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic-assisted simple prostatectomy is a feasible surgical approach for patients with a very enlarged prostate. Anastomosis of the bladder edge to the distal apical prostate margin can greatly reduce postoperative hematuria.