HOW I DO IT

• Robot assisted radical prostatectomy: how I do it. Part II: surgical technique

  Valdivieso F. Roger , Hueber Pierre-Alain , Zorn C. Kevin, MD Hopital St. Luc Montreal, Quebec, Canada

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  The introduction of the "da Vinci Robotic Surgical System" (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) has been an important step towards a minimally invasive approach to radical prostatectomy. Technologic peculiarities, such as three-dimensional vision, wristed instrumentation with seven degrees of freedom of motion, lack of tremor, a 10x-magnification and a comfortable seated position for the surgeon has added value to the procedure for the surgeon and the patient. In this article, we describe the 9 step surgical technique for robot assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) that is currently used in our institution (University of Montreal Hospital Center (CHUM) - Hopital St-Luc). We use the four-arm da Vinci Surgical System. Our experience with RARP is now over 250 cases with the senior surgeon having performed over 1200 RARPs and we have continually refined our technique to improve patient outcomes.

  Keywords: surgical techniques, prostate cancer, robot assisted radical prostatectomy,

  Dec 2013 (Vol. 20, Issue 6 , Page 7073)
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• Robot assisted radical prostatectomy: how I do it. Part I: patient preparation and positioning

  Valdivieso F. Roger , Hueber Pierre-Alain , Zorn C. Kevin, MD University of Montreal Hospital Center (CHUM)-Hopital St. Luc, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

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  Radical prostatectomy remains the standard treatment for long term cure of clinically localized prostate cancer, offering excellent oncologic outcomes, with cancer-specific survival approaching 95% at 15 years after surgery. The introduction of the `da Vinci Robotic Surgical System` (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) has been another important step toward a minimally invasive approach to radical prostatectomy. Technologic peculiarities, such as three-dimensional vision, wristed instrumentation with seven degrees of freedom of motion, lack of tremor, a 10x-magnification and a comfortable seated position for the surgeon has added value to the surgeon and patient. In this first part of a two article series, we describe preoperative patient preparation and positioning protocols for robot assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) that are currently used in our institution (University of Montreal Hospital Center (CHUM) – Hopital St-Luc). We use the four-arm da Vinci Si Surgical System. Our experience with RARP is now over 250 cases with the senior surgeon having performed over 1200 RARPs and we have continually refined our technique to improve patient outcomes.

  Keywords: surgical techniques, prostate cancer, robot assisted radical prostatectomy,

  Oct 2013 (Vol. 20, Issue 5 , Page 6957)
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• Management of pelvic organ prolapse

  Ahmed Faisal , Sotelo Tiffany, MD Pelvic Floor Center, George Washington University Hospital, Washington, DC, USA

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  Symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse can afflict up to 10% of women. Urinary incontinence, voiding dysfunction or difficulty possibly related to bladder outlet obstruction are common symptoms. Infrequently hydronephrosis or defecatory dysfunction can be seen. The management of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) should start with adequate assessment of all pelvic floor complaints. If a patient is not symptomatic, surgical intervention is usually not indicated. While the use of a variety of graft materials are available today including porcine, dermal and synthetic grafts, that are used in some surgical approaches to pelvic organ prolapse, other more conservative approaches may prove beneficial to many patients. This article describes our approach to the patient with pelvic organ prolapse.

  Keywords: pessary, pelvic floor, BPH, radical prostatectomy, Calypso transponders,

  Dec 2011 (Vol. 18, Issue 6 , Page 6050)
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• Management of post-prostatectomy erectile dysfunction

  Jamal E. Joseph , Engel D. Jason, MD Department of Urology, George Washington University Hospital, Washington, DC, USA

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  The management of post-prostatectomy erectile function has been debated since the nerve sparing radical prostatectomy was first introduced. A number of penile rehabilitation protocols have been proposed with varying degrees of success and patient satisfaction. My management of post-prostatectomy erectile dysfunction has evolved based on an honest and critical appraisal of the literature and my own experience and research. A review of major studies published on the topic of post-prostatectomy penile rehabilitation is included here, in addition to a critical evaluation of my own clinical practice. After evaluating the efficacy of these various approaches, it is clear to me that a nerve sparing procedure is only one of many factors involved in recovering erectile function. Moreover, in addition to assessing a patients goals and their motivation for erectile function after prostatectomy, setting appropriate patient expectations is paramount to avoiding patient frustration. A frank evaluation and discussion with a patient and their partner is paramount to managing these expectations. A 'one size fits all' approach is not appropriate. Herein, I discuss the evolution of my approach to managing post-prostatectomy erectile dysfunction.

  Keywords: radical prostatectomy, salvage radiation, vacuum erection device, erectile dysfunction, phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitor, rehabilitation,

  Jun 2011 (Vol. 18, Issue 3 , Page 5726)
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