Safety and perioperative outcomes in extraperitoneal versus transperitoneal robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: A propensity score matching study from a single regional center.

[OBJECTIVES] This study aimed to compare perioperative outcomes and complications between the transperitoneal approach (Tp) and extraperitoneal approach (Ep) in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) at our institution.

[METHODS] We retrospectively reviewed data from 894 patients who underwent RARP between 2014 and 2023, including 539 with Ep and 355 with Tp. Ep was selected for patients who did not require extended lymph node dissection (ELND), whereas Tp was selected for patients who required ELND. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed, resulting in 326 matched pairs. Primary outcomes included severe complications (Clavien-Dindo grade III or higher). Secondary outcomes included transfusion rates, console time without ELND and postoperative length of stay.

[RESULTS] Following PSM, severe complications occurred in 0 patients (0 %) in the Ep group and in 14 patients (4.3 %) in the Tp group, with bowel-related complications more frequent in the latter. The transfusion rate was low in both groups (0.6 % [Ep] vs. 0 % [Tp], p = 0.43). Operative parameters showed comparable console time without ELND (185 min [Ep] vs. 179 min [Tp], p = 0.30). Postoperative length of stay was comparable between groups (median, 6 days for both; p = 0.05). Peritoneal injuries occurred in 19 % of patients in the Ep group but did not lead to major complications or conversion to Tp in most cases.

[CONCLUSIONS] This study suggests that both Tp and Ep are feasible approaches for RARP, with Ep potentially associated with fewer bowel complications.