LRP was performed in 343 patients; 268 (78%) participated in the study. The mean patient age was 63.3±6.3 yr; mean PSA, 10.0±9.2ng/ml; mean follow-up, 26 mo.

Global health was impaired for t1 (p<0.001) and then returned to baseline. Emotional functioning improved (p<0.001) for t2–t7 versus baseline. Physical functioning remained impaired for t1–t2, and role and social functioning for t1–t6. Only sexual functioning did not return to baseline for t1–t7. Urinary symptoms were worse at t1 and then improved gradually (p<0.001).

No significant difference in any QoL domain could be identified for experienced surgeons versus novices except for financial difficulties at t2–t3, which related to social differences.

Thirty-one (9%) patients with adjuvant therapy had significantly worse global health, bowel symptoms, urinary symptoms, fatigue, and sexual functioning.

The learning curve of laparoscopic novices does not have a negative impact on patients’ QoL. For intermediate- to long-term follow-up, patients reach their baseline or score even better in all domains except for sexual functioning but are significantly impaired if adjuvant treatment is performed.

Stephen F. Wyler, Robin Ruszat, Urs Straumann, Thomas H. Forster, Maurizio Provenzano, Tullio Sulser, Thomas C. Gasser, Alexander Bachmann

Department of Urology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
Institute for Surgical Research and Hospital Management, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland

Accepted 26 October 2006 published online 10 November 2006.