A prospective study using health related quality of life questionnaires was performed on men undergoing radical prostatectomy between 2002 and 2006. The SF-12 was used weekly to measure health status. Of the 162 men in the study, 120 (74%) had ORP (2002-2005) and 42 (26%) had RALRP. Pre-op characteristics did not differ significantly between groups. The mean estimated blood loss was greater in the ORP men (490ml) compared to the RALRP group (232ml).

The RALRP group had significantly greater physical QOL compared to the ORP group but mental QOL was not affected by type of surgical procedure. The time for physical and mental component scores (PCS and MCS, respectively) to return to baseline were calculated. For PCS, men undergoing RALRP returned to baseline between weeks 5 and 6 and for ORP it was between weeks 6 and 7, this was determined to be a difference of 1.32 weeks. The PCS in the RALRP group were better than the ORP group beginning at week 1 and continuing through week 6.

In an accompanying editorial, Dr. Keane from Medical University of South Carolina points out that the study had only a 50% patient response rate without explanation, that the group sizes were unequal, and that a 1.3 week improvement may not be justified with the increased cost of the procedure. The authors’ suggested that the quicker return to physical well being may justify the increased procedure costs.

Miller J, Smith A, Kouba E, Wallen E, Pruthi RS

J Urol. ePub: July 16, 2007
DOI: 10.1016/j.juro.2007.05.051

UroToday.com Prostate Cancer Section

Written by Christopher P. Evans, MD, a Contributing Editor with UroToday.

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