Objectives

Statement of Educational Need, Target Audience and Objectives

Advances in technology, surgical technique and surgeon skills have allowed roboticassisted radical prostatectomy (RRP) to become an effective option for the management of organ-confined prostate cancer. The goals of this technique are to cure cancer, preserve urinary continence, preserve potency, and decrease morbidity.

The 2006 ART^TM of Prostatectomy Symposium is an opportunity to improve cancer treatment and patient care through dialog and exchange in a focused setting. Numerous surgeons will present their extensive clinical experience performing RRP. There will also be discussion on the postoperative treatment of quality-of-life issues and global outcomes measures.

This international event is designed especially for urologists, laparoscopic and robotic surgeons, and other physician-scientists involved in prostate cancer treatment.

The instructors will present step-by-step details about RRP using clinical videos presented in professional stereoscopic (3D), as well as interactive presentations. Technical nuances will be presented and finer points of nerve sparing and continence preservation will be discussed. Operative, postoperative, oncological, and functional outcomes will be reviewed. A special technique of patient-specific treatment planning for nerve sparing will be presented during the course. Practical points will be discussed during the question and answer sessions. The technique of performing RRP, preparatory steps, equipment, training needs, proctorship, and the learning curve for this procedure will also be addressed.

Objectives: It is intended that this Weill Cornell activity will lead to improved patient care. At the conclusion of this activity, participants should be able to:

• Identify patients suitable for RRP
• Use a special technique for patient-specific treatment planning for nerve-sparing RRP
• Understand techniques of performing athermal, nerve- sparing robot-assisted prostatectomy
• Understand preparatory steps, equipment, training needs, proctorship, and learning curve for this procedure
• Consider relevant issues such as cancer control, recovery, operative technique, complications and functional results of RRP, and be prepared to discuss these with individual patients
• Understand latest developments in the utility of PDE5 inhibitors in early sexual recovery following RRP
• State three benefits of RRP in counseling the patient on decisions regarding treatment selection
• Describe options for post-prostatectomy adjuvant therapy

Accreditation Statement

Weill Medical College of Cornell University is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to sponsor continuing medical education for physicians.

Weill Medical College of Cornell University designates this educational activity for a maximum of 15 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)^TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Acknowledgement of Commercial Support

This educational activity has been supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Pfizer and Intuitive Surgical; additional sponsors may be added.

Faculty Disclosure

It is the policy of Weill Medical College of Cornell University to adhere to ACCME Essential Areas, Policies, and Standards for Commercial Support in order to ensure fair balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all its sponsored programs. All faculty participating in sponsored programs are expected to disclose to the audience any potential, apparent, or real conflict of interest related to their contribution to the activity, and any discussions of off-label or investigational uses of any commercial products or devices not yet approved in the United States. All disclosures will be made at the time of this CME activity.