Analysis of the Learning Curve of Surgeons without Previous Experience in Laparoscopy to Perform Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy.

Objective: To assess the learning curve in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) performed by surgeons without previous experience in laparoscopic prostatectomy.

Materials And Methods: We analyzed 119 patients submitted to RARP performed by two surgeons without previous experience in laparoscopic prostatectomy, with emphasis on the relevant outcomes such as continence, erectile function, and oncologic control with a minimum follow-up of 24 months. We used Fisher's exact test and the chi-square test to investigate the existence of a relationship between the variables and analysis of variance (ANOVA) to verify possible statistically significant differences between groups, at the 5% level.

Robotic adenomectomy using a laparoscopic dissector.

Introduction: Only few reports are known about the use of robotic surgery for prostate benign enlargement. The robotic surgery can be improved by laparoscopic tricks. We show a video of robotic adenomectomy where a laparoscopic dissector is used to help create the plan between prostatic capsule and adenoma.

Is previous experience in laparoscopic necessary to perform robotic radical prostatectomy? A comparative study with robotic and the classic open procedure in patients with prostate cancer.

Purpose: To assess comparative results of robot-assisted radical laparoscopic prostatectomy (RARP) performed by surgeons without any experience in laparoscopic prostatectomy and the open procedure performed by surgeons with large experience.

Methods: We analyzed 84 patients (50 subjected to robotic surgery) from June 2012 to September 2013. Data were prospectively collected in a customized database.

Penile primary melanoma: analysis of 6 patients treated at Brazilian National Cancer Institute in the last eight years.

Purpose: To describe our experience in treating penile melanoma in 06 patients followed at our institution.

Materials And Methods: Between 2004 and 2012 six consecutive patients with penile melanoma were treated at our Institution. Stage of the disease was classified according to the 2002 AJCC pathologic system.

[Merkel cell carcinoma of penis].

We describe the second case in literature of Merkel cell carcinoma of penis, a rare, very aggressive neuroendocrine tumor. Treatment is debatable in view of the fact that this kind of tumor has unpredictable biological behaviour, early regional lymph node involvement, early distant metastases and a high recurrence rate. Considering these facts, we used pre-operative lymphoscintigraphy, intra-operative lymph node mapping and sentinel node biopsy before performing a bilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy.