The 'Robotic Prostatectomy Artificial Intelligence Low Pressure Pain Study Trial' aims to assess the feasibility of being able to review operative outcomes such as pain when comparing two commonly used surgical devices for the removal of prostate cancers. The data collected will inform methodologies for future, larger, multi-center trials investigating pain in patients undergoing prostate cancer surgery.
A robotic prostatectomy is a commonly performed surgery used to treat prostate cancer by removing the prostate gland. In order to perform the procedure, the surgeon must 'inflate' (technical term pneumoperitoneum) the patients abdomen with carbon dioxide gas using a device called an insufflator. Adequate 'inflation' of the abdomen ensures the surgeon can clearly visualise the prostate. Unfortunately, higher pressures of abdominal 'inflation' are a large contributor to intra and post-operative pain in patients having prostatectomies. The type of insufflator device used to maintain inflation pressures in the abdomen are thought to be a variable contributing to differing levels of intra and post-operative pain. Therefore, the purpose of this trial is to compare intra and post-operative pain when using two different insufflator devices when performing robotic prostatectomies. Both insufflators are already commonly used across multiple NHS Trusts.
40 patients awaiting a robotic prostatectomy at the urology department at the Lister hospital, Stevenage, will be randomised to use either the Conventional Insufflator System (CIS) {Stryker PneumoClear Insufflator} or the AIRSEAL® Insufflation System (AIS) to 'inflate' their abdomens during their prostatectomies. Data relating to various intra and post-operative outcomes will be collected in the 30 days following the patient's operation. Outcomes include levels of intra and post-operative pain, medication use, procedure time, recovery room time, length of hospital stay, post operative nausea and vomiting and adverse events. This data can be analysed to identify trends in differences in outcomes between the AIS and CIS insufflators.
Patient indicated for non-emergent robotic Prostatectomy surgery
Patients (or appropriate legal representatives) able to provide written informed consent to participate in the study
Males, aged 18 to 75 years
Have no significant psychopathology that could limit the subject's ability to understand the procedure, comply with medical, surgical, and/or behavioural recommendations and office visits
Patient participation in a different investigational clinical study within 90 days before screening and for the duration of this trial (unless previously approved by the investigator and Sponsor);
Patients requiring any surgical procedure in addition to Prostatectomy and or / Pelvic Lymph node dissection
Previous pelvic surgery or previous malabsobtion or restrictive procedures performed for the treatment of obesity
Inability to provide informed consent
East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust
Lead sponsor