Retrospective comparative study of 59 cases of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: Transperitoneal anterior versus transperitoneal posterior approach

Objective: We retrospectively compared perioperative parameters, as well as the oncological and functional results, for laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) carried out via the posterior and anterior approaches in our hospital. Methods: We recorded pre‐, peri‐, and postoperative parameters and complications, and evaluated the oncological and functional results to compare the posterior approach (group 1, n = 25) with the anterior approach (group 2, n = 34). Results: There were no significant differences regarding the preoperative characteristics of the two groups. The incidence of major complications, positive surgical margins, and continence at 3 and 6 months postoperatively showed no significant differences between the two groups. Although mean blood loss (including urine) was not significantly different, the mean prostatectomy time was significantly shorter in group 2 (174.21 ± 57.97 min) than in group 1 (224.76 ± 66.72 min) ( P = 0.003 by Student's t ‐test). Also, the postoperative recovery period until discharge was 5.94 days in group 2, and was significantly shorter than in group 1 (7.48 days) ( P = 0.02 by Student's t ‐test). Conclusions: This retrospective comparative study shows that the anterior approach yields similar, if not better results than the posterior approach for LRP.