Robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy in young adults: age-stratified oncological and functional outcomes

Adverse In-Hospital Outcomes Following Robot-Assisted vs. Open Radical Prostatectomy in Quadragenarians

Background/Objectives: Adverse in-hospital outcomes at radical prostatectomy have not been specifically addressed in young patients aged 40-49 years (quadragenarians). Additionally, no comparison between robot-assisted (RARP) vs. open radical prostatectomy (ORP) has been reported in this population. Methods: Descriptive analyses, propensity score matching (PSM), and multivariable logistic/Poisson regression models addressed quadragenarians undergoing RARP or ORP within the National Inpatient Sample (2009-2019). Results: Of 5426 quadragenarians, 4083 (75.2%) and 1343 (24.8%) underwent RARP and ORP, respectively. The proportion of RARP increased from 68.1 to 84.5% (2009-2019, EAPC: +2.8%, p < 0.001). Adverse in-hospital outcomes after RARP were invariably lower than those after ORP. Specifically, the rates of overall complications (7.8 vs. 13.4%, Δ -5.6%, multivariable odds ratio (OR): 0.54), blood transfusions (1.2 vs. 6.3%, Δ -5.1%, OR: 0.21), and length of stay (LOS) > 2 days (10.6 vs. 28.7%, Δ -18.1%, OR: 0.32) were lower after RARP than after ORP (all p < 0.001). After additional one-to-one PSM between ORP and RARP patients, virtually the same results were reported (overall complications: 7.0 vs. 13.4%, Δ -6.4%, OR: 0.49; blood transfusion rates: 1.5 vs. 6.3%, Δ -4.8%, OR: 0.23; LOS > 2 days: 10.9 vs. 28.7%, Δ -17.8%, OR: 0.30). Conversely, RARP use resulted in higher total hospital charges (USD 43,690 vs. 36,840, Δ USD +6850, IRR: 1.18; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Quadragenarians exhibited a more favorable adverse in-hospital outcome profile after RARP vs. ORP. These advantages are offset by a small, albeit significant, increase in total hospital charges.

Is there any difference in urinary continence between bilateral and unilateral nerve sparing during radical prostatectomy? A systematic review and meta-analysis

CONTEXT

In men with prostate cancer, urinary incontinence is one of the most common long-term side effects of radical prostatectomy (RP). The recovery of urinary continence in patients is positively influenced by preserving the integrity of the neurovascular bundles (NVBs). However, it is still unclear if bilateral nerve sparing (BNS) is superior to unilateral nerve sparing (UNS) in terms of post-RP urinary continence. The aim of this study is to systematically compare the differences in post-RP urinary continence outcomes between BNS and UNS.

METHODS

The electronic databases of PubMed and Web of Science were comprehensively searched. The search period was up to May 31, 2023. English language articles comparing urinary continence outcomes of patients undergoing BNS and UNS radical prostatectomy were included. Meta-analyses were performed to calculate pooled relative risk (RR) estimates with 95% confidence intervals for urinary continence in BNS and UNS groups at selected follow-up intervals using a random-effects model. Sensitivity analyses were performed in prospective studies and robotic-assisted RP studies.

RESULTS

A meta-analysis was conducted using data from 26,961 participants in fifty-seven studies. A meta-analysis demonstrated that BNS improved the urinary continence rate compared to UNS at all selected follow-up points. RRs were 1.36 (1.14-1.63; p = 0.0007) at ≤ 1.5 months (mo), 1.28 (1.08-1.51; p = 0.005) at 3-4 mo, 1.12 (1.03-1.22; p = 0.01) at 6 mo, 1.08 (1.05-1.12; p < 0.00001) at 12 mo, and 1.07 (1.00-1.13; p = 0.03) at ≥ 24 mo, respectively. With the extension of the follow-up time, RRs decreased from 1.36 to 1.07, showing a gradual downward trend. Pooled estimates were largely heterogeneous. Similar findings were obtained through sensitivity analyses of prospective studies and robotic-assisted RP studies.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this meta-analysis demonstrate that BNS yields superior outcomes in terms of urinary continence compared to UNS, with these advantages being sustained for a minimum duration of 24 months. It may be due to the real effect of saving the nerves involved. Future high-quality studies are needed to confirm these findings.

A Chance Finding of High Grade Prostate Cancer in a 35-Year-Old Male - A Case Report and Outcomes of Robotic Radical Prostatectomy in Young Men with Prostate Cancer

Background

Prostate cancer is often considered a disease of older men and this indeed fits with its peak incidence between 65-79 years of age. Reports of prostate cancer in men younger than 40 years of age and the outcomes of this age group following treatment are few in the literature. Here, we present the case of an unusual diagnosis of high grade prostate cancer in a very young man and outline early outcomes following treatment with robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy.

Case Presentation

A 35-year-old male, intermittently taking finasteride for hair loss, was found to have an elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) of 12.5ng/mL leading to an incidental diagnosis of high grade prostate cancer. Targeted trans-perineal prostate biopsy found Gleason 4+5=9 acinar adenocarcinoma, without cribriform architecture but with features suspicious for extracapsular extension. Robotic radical prostatectomy with bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection was performed and found Gleason 4+5=9 adenocarcinoma with focal cribriform architecture, extra prostatic extension and clear margins, stage pT3a N0 M0. PSA was undetectable at 12 months, continence was immediate, and the patient reported strong erections soon after surgery. Family history of prostate cancer and genetic testing were both negative.

Conclusion

This case highlights that not all clinically significant cancers will be identified by following PSA screening guidelines starting at 50 years of age (or 40 years of age for men with a family history of prostate cancer). While high grade prostate cancer in a man less than 40 years of age is uncommon, the literature suggests the incidence is increasing. Our case alongside series in the literature indicate that these men have better functional outcomes and equal oncological outcomes with early surgical intervention for localized disease when compared to the older population.

Impact of human placental derivative allografts on functional and oncological outcomes after radical prostatectomy: a literature review

Post radical prostatectomy (RP) erectile dysfunction and incontinence impacts quality of life for patients. In an objective to hasten the recovery of these functional outcomes, human placental derived allografts laid on neurovascular bundles (NVB) have been investigated. These grafts include amniotic membranes (AM) chorionic membranes (CM) or umbilical cord (UC) allografts. A literature review performed using the MeSH terms "AMNION" OR "CHORION" OR "AMNIOTIC MEMBRANE" OR "UMBILICAL CORD" AND "PROSTATE CANCER" from no specified start date, to April 2022. 163 articles were retrieved, with 149 articles excluded. 14 articles were eligible and analysed. 5 articles were included in this review for an analysis on comparative outcomes. The average return to potency was statistically significant in the intervention groups. Positive surgical margin (PSM) rates showed a higher rate in the control groups. BCR was observed at a lower rate in the interventional group. This review reveals a benefit from human placental allograft's ability to hasten post RP functional recovery, without impacting oncological control.