Editorial: Robotic prostatectomy: Hit or myth?

摘要

Radical prostatectomy (RP) is arguably the most subtle and challenging operation that urologists perform. Any well-trained urologist can remove the prostate without life-threatening complications, but the ideal procedure would remove the prostate, seminal vesicles, and pelvic lymph nodes (when indicated) with negative surgical margins, no recurrence of cancer, and complete recovery of urinary and erectile function. Achieving this 'trifecta' is the ultimate challenge to modern urologic surgeons, and none are universally successful (Saranchuk, J. W. et al. J. Clin. Oncol. 23, 4146-4151; 2005).