Extraperitoneal robot assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy with Versius system: single centre experience.

INTRODUCTION: Versius Surgical System (CMR Surgical, Cambridge, UK) is a novel tele-operated robotic surgical system designed to assist surgeons for minimally invasive surgery which is gaining momentum in the world of robotic surgery. We describe our single centre experience with Versius and report the advantages and challenges posed by this new robotic system in a series of 53 extraperitoneal robotic assisted laparoscopic prostatectomies (eRALP) for prostate cancer (PCa).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data of 53 eRALP performed with Versius in our centre were collected and analysed, Descriptive statistics were used to report our results.

RESULTS: In 16 months we performed 53 eRALP: 18 (34%) with PLND, 33 (62%) nerve sparing cases. Mean setup time was 15 min, mean console time was 100 min and mean operative time was 130 min. We observed a substantial reduction of console time and set-up time after only 5 procedures. In the first 4 procedures, the dissection of the neurovascular bundle was performed laparoscopically, to switch back to robotic assisted approach afterwards. No major system failures were observed. No major intra-operative and post-operative complications occurred. Mean follow-up time was 9 months (range 3-15 months); no patients experienced biochemical recurrence or metastatic progression over this period, 8 (15%) patients had adjuvant radiotherapy based on unfavourable pathology report (positive surgical margins or positive limphnodes).

CONCLUSION: This represents to our knowledge the largest extraperitoneal RALP case series with Versius, and it aims to provide solid clinical proof of the safety, effectiveness and versatility of this innovative system. In our experience, this platform represents a good option for every urologic surgeon who wants to start a robotic programme and it appears particularly suitable for urologists with a large laparoscopic expertise.