Introduction: Our aim was to report our experience on the feasibility of completing radical prostatectomy robotically after planned open adhesiolysis for prior major abdominal surgery with previous midline laparotomy scar.
Methods: We searched our prospectively collected database of robotic assisted-radical prostatectomy (RARP) performed between October 2006 and October 2012 by a single fellowship-trained surgeon to identify all patients who underwent planned initial mini-laparotomy for release of abdominal adhesions at time of RARP. Among 250 RARP patients, five patients fulfilled these criteria.
Results: All patients had prostatectomy completed robotically. The mean values of patients' demographics were as follows: Age 61.8 years (range 54-69), body mass index 30.7 (range 24.3-45.3), and prostate volume 41.5 ml (range 30.8-54). Mean operative time was 245 min (range 190-280) and estimated blood loss 410 ml (range 300-650). Median hospital stay was one day (range 1-7). Postoperatively, there was one prolonged ileus, which resolved spontaneously, and one myocardial infarction.
Conclusions: Robotic completion of radical prostatectomy after open adhesiolysis is feasible. This approach maintains most minimally invasive advantages of RARP, despite a slightly longer hospital stay. In the best interest of patients, robotic surgeons are encouraged to finish the case robotically rather than attempting an open approach.