Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) has increasingly replaced open radical prostatectomy (ORP) based on evidence suggesting improved perioperative outcomes and faster recovery. However, few randomized trials directly compare both techniques. This review compares perioperative, functional, and oncological outcomes of RARP versus ORP, integrating newly available high-impact studies.
A thorough search of major databases was conducted from the inception of each database up to November 2025, adhering to PRISMA guidelines. Two reviewers independently screened studies in a three-step process-titles, abstracts, and full texts. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and prospective studies comparing RARP and ORP were included. All variables were entered into a spreadsheet for analysis and cross-checked. The primary endpoints assessed were perioperative complications, functional recovery (urinary continence and erectile function), and oncological outcomes.
A total of 27 studies comprising 38,530 patients were included. Compared with ORP, RARP was associated with significantly reduced intraoperative blood loss (mean difference [MD] : - 576.78; p < 0.01), lower transfusion rates (Odds Ratio [OR] 0.27; p < 0.0001), and shorter hospital stay (MD: - 1.44 days; p < 0.0001). RARP also demonstrated fewer postoperative complications (OR 0.59; p = 0.002). Regarding functional outcomes, RARP yielded superior urinary continence recovery at 3 months and improved erectile function recovery (OR 1.43). Additionally, RARP showed a lower biochemical recurrence rate at 24 months (OR 1.34), with no significant difference observed in short-term follow-up (< 12 months).
RARP offers advantages over ORP, particularly in reducing perioperative morbidity and enhancing functional recovery while maintaining comparable or superior oncological outcomes. However, further randomized controlled trials with extended follow-up are necessary to confirm these findings.
1. RARP was associated with significantly reduced blood loss, lower transfusion requirements, and shorter hospitalization. 2. Functional outcomes favored RARP, including superior recovery of urinary continence and higher rates of nerve-sparing preservation. 3. Overall, the evidence supports RARP as a safe, effective, and clinically advantageous approach for localized prostate cancer.
International urology and nephrology. 2026 Jun 02 [Epub ahead of print]
Caio Vinicius Suartz, Mateus Silva Santos Costa, Caio Felipe Araujo Matalani, Marcelo Ribeiro da Rocha, José Pedro Cassemiro Micheleto, Pedro Luis Furlam, Henrique Laurent Lepine, Roberto Iglesias Lopes, Thalita Bento Talizin, José Bessa Júnior, Walid Shahrour, Walid Shabana, Axel S Merseburger, Leonardo Oliveira Reis, Maurício Dener Cordeiro, William Carlos Nahas, Paul Toren, Leopoldo Alves Ribeiro-Filho, Guillaume Ploussard, Vincent Fradet, Frédéric Pouliot
Urology Department, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, 955, Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada. ., Division of Urology, Institute of Cancer of São Paulo, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil., Department of Health, State University of Feira de Santana (UEFS), Feira de Santana, BA, Brazil., Urology Department, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, 955, Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada., Department of Urology, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany., UroScience, School of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, Unicamp, and ImmunOncology, Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas, PUC-Campinas, Campinas, SP, 13083-872, Brazil., CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada., Department of Urology, La Croix du Sud Hospital, Quint Fonsegrives, France.