In France, the annual number ofsurgical removal of the prostate (called total prostatectomy) performed to treat cancer. These operations are performed either by open surgery or by conventional laparoscopy or by robot-assisted laparoscopy.
The Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS) has evaluated this latter technique, which has experienced a real boom in recent years. In France, the number of healthcare establishments equipped with a surgical robot increased from 39 in 2011 to 84 in 2015. And nearly 40% of total prostatectomies were performed with this technique in 2015.
A little extra in terms of security
The HAS has given a favorable opinion to its registration for reimbursement for the treatment of localized prostate cancer. But, she ruled that “The improvement in service expected from this procedure was minor compared to total prostatectomy by open surgery and absent compared to total prostatectomy by conventional laparoscopy”.
The High Authority considers that we cannot conclude that this type of surgery is more effective, whether in the treatment of cancer or in the side effects of the operation (urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction) compared to the other two surgical modalities.
Read also: Colon, breast, prostate: we no longer survive these 3 cancers
However, it recognizes a little more in terms of security. “Total prostatectomy is a hemorrhagic procedure, and the available data indicate a reduction in blood loss with the robot compared to open surgery as well as a shorter hospital stay”.
Also to discover:
Prostate cancer: still too many screening tests
Actor Ben Stiller reveals his prostate cancer
