Initial study of learning curves in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy

Abstract

The application of robot-assisted laparoscopic techniques is new and generates numerous benefits for patients. Here, we summarise the experience of our first series through 52 cases of prostate cancer treated by robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) in the Department of Urology of Binh Dan Hospital, from December 2016 to September 2017, to study the learning curves of this procedure. In this clinical comparative study, 52 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer (clinical stage T1 to T3) received RARP with and without nerve sparing as well as standard pelvic lymphadenectomy. The optimal learning curve for operative times was achieved after 20 cases. Our initial RARP results were relatively strong, suggesting that surgery could be safely performed with acceptable complications.