Objective: To compare the oncological and functional results of the collar technique (CT) with the standard technique (ST) used for the apical dissection in robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP).

Materials and Methods: Sixty-five patients were operated using ST, and 61 patients with CT. The oncological and functional results of the two techniques were compared.

Results: The continence rates at 1st and 6th months after catheter removal were 59.0% and 90.2% in the CT, and 36.9% and 87.6% in the ST groups, respectively (p=0.02, and p=0.78). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of detection rates of surgical margin positivity (p=0.54). In multivariable logistic regression analysis only the choice of the surgical technique was found to be statistically significantly correlated with the continence rate at the first month after the catheter removal (p=0.023).

Conclusion: The CT is a surgical technique, which can be used safely in the Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy (RALP) procedure, with relatively higher early-term continence rates and oncologic outcomes comparable to the standard technique.

Keywords : prostate cancer, robotic, radical prostatectomy, apical dissection, technique