Robotic Prostatectomy Has a Superior Outcome in Larger Prostates and PSA Density Is a Strong Predictor of Biochemical Recurrence

Abstract

Objectives. The aims of this study were to compare the outcomes of robotic assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) between patients who had larger (≥75 g) and smaller (<75 g) prostates and to evaluate the performance of PSA density (PSAD) in determining the oncological outcome of surgery.Methods and Materials. 344 patients who underwent RALP at a single institution were included in the study. Preoperative risk factors and postoperative, oncological outcomes, erectile function, and continence status were recorded prospectively.Results. During a mean follow-up of 20 months, biochemical recurrencePSA>0.2was observed in 15 patients (4.3%). Prostate size ≥75 g was associated with lower Gleason score on final pathologyP=0.004and lower pathological stageP=0.02but an increased length of hospital stayP=0.05. PSAD on binary logistic regression independently predicted biochemical recurrence (BCR) when defined as postoperative PSA >0.1P=0.001and PSA >0.2P=0.039. In both instances PSA was no longer a significant independent predictor.Conclusions. RALP in large prostates (≥75 g, <150 g) is as safe as RALP in smaller prostates and is associated with a lower pathological grade and stage. Higher PSAD is independently associated with BCR and is superior to PSA as a predictor of BCR after RALP.