Insight into current surgical techniques and practice patterns associated with robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy: a national survey of urologists within the USA

Robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) has been rapidly adopted throughout the USA. The purpose of this study is to describe the prevailing RARP operative techniques and perceptions within the USA. An anonymous web-based survey was sent electronically to a list of 920 robotic urological surgeons. The survey assessed surgeon demographics, surgical technique, and postoperative care related to RARP. The study was comprised of urologists from community hospitals (76%) and university hospitals/specialty centers (24%). All geographic sections of the American Urological Association were represented. The most common neurovascular preservation techniques were ante/retrograde approach (48%), athermal (22%), and preservation of lateral pelvic fascia (17%). Surgeon choice of neurovascular preservation technique varied with the average number of procedures performed per year (P = 0.0065). High-volume surgeons tended to require a higher number of robotic cases in order to go through the learning curve of the “comfortable” (P = 0.001) and “expert” levels (P < 0.0001). The majority of surgeons reported that RARP (as compared with open surgery) improved urinary continence (77.2%), sexual function (65.6%), and surgical margin rates (53.8%). RARP is an evolving surgical procedure with significant variability in practice patterns among US surgeons. Further studies are necessary to compare the various techniques in order to improve surgical outcomes.