What are the advantages and disadvantages of each method of radical prostatectomy?
Surgeons who prefer the open approach claim that the ability to feel the prostate during the surgical procedure results in better control of cancer and avoidance of positive (cancerous) surgical margins at the outer surface of the surgical specimen. Surgeons who prefer the robotic approach claim that the robotic approach facilitates recovery, reduces blood loss and enhances the ability to preserve the nerves that control erections. However, there is no definitive medical evidence supporting any of these claims of superiority. Recent publications have not shown any significant difference in length of hospital stay, pain, time to return to work or activities, continence, potency, oncological control or transfusion rates (Lepor H. Rev. Urol. 11(2):61-70 (2009)). At the Smilow Center, we believe that the surgeon’s level of experience is more important than the particular method chosen to remove the prostate. The other factors that affect outcome are the postoperative pathways for facilitat
