Vattikuti Institute Prostatectomy: A Single-Team Experience of 100 Cases

Purpose: To analyze the outcomes of the first 100 patients undergoing robotic radical prostatectomy by a single surgical team. Patients and Methods: From August 2001 to May 2002, we performed robotic radical prostatectomy in 100 patients with localized prostate cancer. The mean age was 60 ± 0.67 years (SEM), the body mass index 27.5 ± 0.35, the preoperative prostate specific antigen concentration 7.2 ± 0.86 ng/mL, and follow-up 5.5 ± 0.24 months. Thirty-eight patients also underwent pelvic lymph node dissection. We used the da Vinci™ surgical system and a subperitoneal approach (the Vattikuti Institute Prostatectomy; VIP). This is a prospective outcomes analysis of these patients. Results: The mean operating time was 195 ± 5.0 minutes, and the mean blood loss was 149 ± 11.8 mL. No patient required blood transfusion. The stages of the cancers were pT _2a in 21, pT_2b in 64, pT_3a in 5, pT _3b in 9, and pT_3bN₁ in 1. The positive surgical margin rate was 15%. At 1, 3, and 6 months, the continence rates were 37%, 72%, and 92%, respectively, and the potency rates were 11%, 32%, and 59%. Conclusion: The VIP is a safe operation with excellent operative parameters, low morbidity, and good surgical margins. The early functional results are promising.