Single-port robotic prostate surgery may speed recovery without hurting cancer outcomes

Men facing prostate cancer surgery often worry about how long they will be in the hospital and how quickly they can return to normal life. A large review looked at 1,997 patients who had robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy. The team compared a newer single-port technique to the standard multiport method. They found that the single-port approach led to significantly shorter time in the operating room console and a hospital stay that was about one and a quarter days shorter. Patients also removed their catheter nearly three days sooner with the single-port method. These are important details for anyone planning their recovery. The single-port surgery did not result in more complications or worse cancer control. The chance of leaving cancer cells behind or the cancer returning was the same for both groups. Functioning after surgery, including bladder control and erections, was also comparable between the two techniques. However, the review noted that most of the data came from older studies with different designs. This mix of study types makes it hard to draw firm conclusions. The findings suggest the newer single-port method is a viable option for select patients. But doctors need more rigorous trials to confirm these results before changing standard practice.