COMPLICATIONS OF ROBOT ASSISTED RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY

The urology community has adopted robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) as the most preferred surgical therapeutic approach in the management of localized prostate cancer. Safety and potential complications of RARP should be clearly known prior to attempting the surgery. The complications have been categorized as anesthesia & patient positioning related, vascular, non-vascular and delayed. European Association of Urology guidelines recommend the use of Clavien -Dindo grading to report surgical complications. The median rate of overall complications of RARP is 12.6%, with a range of 3. 1-42%. Most of the complications are minor (Clavien-Dindo grades 1 and 2). With a dedicated approach, increasing experience, being aware of possible complications, and strict adherence to safety measures, most complications are preventable. RARP is a safe and reproducible technique.