Transperitoneal laparoscopic prostatectomy does not increase small bowel within the target volume for postoperative radiotherapy.

Abstract

Laparoscopic or robot assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy is often performed via a transperitoneal approach for prostate cancer, in contrast to open retropubic radical prostatectomy. Theoretically transgressing the peritoneum may introduce small bowel loops into the pelvis, increasing the risk of small bowel injury with adjuvant radiotherapy. We compared the incidence of small bowel within the planning target volume for radiotherapy to the prostate bed in patients who underwent open retropubic and laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.