Low Quality of Evidence for Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy: Results of a Systematic Review of the Published Literature

The published robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) literature is limited to observational studies of mostly low methodologic quality. Our findings draw into question the extent to which valid conclusions about the relative superiority or equivalence of RALP to other surgical approaches can be drawn and whether published outcomes can be generalised to the broader community. There is an urgent need to raise the methodologic standards for clinical research on new urologic procedures and devices.