LRP vs RALP: a comparative study of outcomes and costs
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Laparoscopic radical (LRP) versus robot assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP): a comparative study of outcomes and costs between two high volume UK centres.
IRAS ID
164204
Contact name
Alan S McNeill
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research and Development Department
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
There is a paucity of well-collected follow-up data from British radical prostatectomy series that allows meaningful comparison of outcomes, according to surgical technique, for patients undergoing prostate cancer surgery in the UK(1). Several health Technology Assessments have shown that robot-assisted prostatectomy becomes cost effective when performed in centres undertaking >150 cases per year (2, 3). Whilst the UK HTA found some evidence that robot-assisted surgery reduced the positive surgical margin rate (minute tissue left behind) compared to other surgical approaches, and that minimal access approaches offer reduced blood loss, complication rates, hospital stay, and a faster recovery, some doubt remains regarding the cost effectiveness and longer term outcomes of robot-assisted prostatectomy when compared to laparoscopic radical prostatectomy(4).
By undertaking a detailed comparison of oncological and functional outcomes between two high-volume UK centres undertaking laparoscopic and robot-assisted prostatectomy we will provide high-quality evidence that permits further comparison of outcomes and costs between these two minimal access techniques.REC name
South East Scotland REC 01
REC reference
14/SS/1083
Date of REC Opinion
3 Dec 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion