A cohort study investigating patient expectations and satisfaction outcomes in men undergoing robotic assisted radical prostatectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Robotic assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) is gaining widespread acceptance for the management of localized prostate cancer. However, data regarding patient expectations and satisfaction outcomes after RARP are scarce. METHODS: We developed a structured program for preoperative education and evidence-based counseling using a multi-disciplinary team approach and measured its impact on patient satisfaction in a cohort of 377 consecutive patients who underwent RARP at our institution. Responses regarding overall, sexual, and continence satisfaction were assessed. RESULTS: Fifty percent of our patient cohort replied to the questionnaire assessments. Ninety-three percent of responding patients expressed overall satisfaction after RARP with only 0.5% expressing regret at having had the operation. Biochemical recurrence and lack of continence correlated significantly with low levels of satisfaction, though sexual function was not significantly different among those satisfied and those not. Most patients (97%) valued oncologic outcome as their top priority, with regaining of urinary control being the commonest second priority (60%). CONCLUSIONS: RARP appears to be associated with a high degree of patient satisfaction in a cohort of patients subjected to a structured preoperative education and counseling program. Oncologic outcomes are most important to these patients and have the largest influence on satisfaction scores.