Converting from open to robotic prostatectomy: key concepts.

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) is rapidly becoming the surgical procedure of choice for treating localized prostate cancer. Although a learning curve does exist, RALP can readily be adopted by surgeons with minimal training in laparoscopy. Monitoring short- and long-term patient outcomes is the key to the individual surgeon improving this procedure for his/her patients. Although both open radical prostatectomy (ORP) and RALP can provide excellent patient outcomes, recent trends indicate that demand for RALP will continue to increase, and it is in the interest of the open surgeon to adopt this technique and aim to continuously improve patient outcomes after RALP. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.