The impact of low pressure pneumoperitoneum in robotic assisted radical prostatectomy: a prospective, randomized, double blinded trial.

BACKGROUND: Robotic surgery has revolutionized postoperative outcomes across surgical specialties. However, the use of pneumoperitoneum comes with known risks given the change in physiological parameters that accompany its utilization. A recent internal review found a 7% decrease in postoperative ileus rates when utilizing a pneumoperitoneum of 12 mmHg over the standard 15 mmHg in robotic assisted radical prostatectomies (RARP).
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to prospectively evaluate the utility of lower pressure pneumoperitoneum by comparing 8 mmHg and 12 mmHg during RARP. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTCIPANTS: Patients were randomly assigned to undergo robotic assisted radical prostatectomy at a pneumoperitoneum pressure of 12 mmHg or 8 mmHg. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The primary outcome was development of postoperative ileus and secondary outcomes were length of operation, estimated blood loss and positive surgical margin status. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: A total of 201 patients were analyzed; 96 patients at 8 mmHg and 105 patients at 12 mmHg. The groups were adequately matched as there were no differences between demographic parameters or medical comorbidities. There was a decrease in postoperative ileus rates with lower pneumoperitoneum pressures; 2% at 8 mmHg and 4.8% at 12 mmHg. There were no clinically significant differences in estimated blood loss, total length of operative time and positive margin status.
CONCLUSIONS: Lower pressure pneumoperitoneum during robotic assisted radical prostatectomy is non-inferior to higher pressure pneumoperitoneum levels and the experienced surgeon may safely perform this operation at 8 mmHg to take advantage of the proposed benefits.