Laparoscopy Found Effective for Prostate Cancer

A study has found that laparoscopy is just as effective as traditional open radical prostatectomy in demonstrating immediate postoperative cancer control. Conducted by surgeons at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center (UMMC, Worcester, USA), the findings were presented at the 2001 Clinical Congress of the American College of Surgeons in New Orleans (LA, USA).

Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy also requires a minimal number of blood transfusions. Another benefit of the laparoscopic method is better visualization of the operative field. The current study, involving 60 patients, follows on an earlier study that demonstrated no evidence of cancer at the margins of prostate tissue removed at surgery in 89% of 37 patients undergoing laparoscopy, compared to 68% of 37 men who underwent open surgery. Surgeons in the division of urology at the UMMC are currently performing the procedure on any man who is a suitable candidate, including those who have had prior abdominal or prostate surgery or hormone therapy, those with exceptionally enlarged prostate glands, and those who are obese.

"In general, our patients are able to go home sooner; in fact, it's not uncommon for them to go home the day following surgery,” noted Dr. Douglas Dahl, who led the research team. With the standard open prostatectomy in most high-volume hospitals, patients stay in the hospital two or three nights, so on average, we're saving one to two hospital days.”




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