Radical prostatectomy technique in the robotic evolution: from da Vinci standard to single port—a single surgeon pathway

To describe perioperative outcomes following robot-assisted prostatectomy performed by a single surgeon during transitions between da Vinci standard/Si/Xi and the single port. Perioperative data were retrospectively evaluated of the first 40 consecutive robot-assisted radical prostatectomies performed by a single surgeon using the da Vinci standard, Si, Xi and single port. A total of 160 patients were included. We matched standard vs Si (Match 1), Si vs Xi (Match 2) and Xi vs single port (Match 3) cohort. Mann–Whitney and Fisher’s tests were used to test the difference among the groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were adopted to evaluate the predictors of overall and major complications. Single-port procedures in Match 3 showed significant shorter median operative time than Xi. Both Si and single-port groups showed significantly less median blood loss, a shorter median length of stay, respectively, than standard group in Match 1 and than Xi group in Match 3. 1 standard group patient required conversion to open surgery for an unsolvable conflict of the robotic arms. No other intraoperative complications were noted. On univariate and multivariate analyses, the da Vinci platform model was not a predicting factor of major complications (Clavien–Dindo ≥ 3). We described how technological progress impacted peri and postoperative outcomes during transitions between robotic surgical platforms for radical prostatectomy. In particular, the technological improvements associated to the increased surgeon’s expertise made the transition to the single port safe and effective when compared with previous platforms.