Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

Laparoscopy has become an integral part of urologic surgery. Its indications have been progressively extended to the most advanced oncologic and reconstructive procedures. Within this frame, radical prostatectomy is of major interest, especially considering the incidence and clinical significance of prostate cancer. The procedure comprises several steps of challenging dissection in which the preservation of delicate nerve and muscular structures should be conciliated with safe tumor excision. The intervention ends with vesicourethral anastomosis, which is considered the most difficult reconstructive procedure in urologic laparoscopy. Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy has gradually become a wholly standardized procedure, and it is now routinely performed in several centers throughout the world.