About the Audit

Radical prostatectomy is the removal of the whole prostate gland and seminal vesicles for cancer of the prostate.  The operative technique used may be open, laparoscopic or robot-assisted. In recent years, an increasing number of procedures are undertaken using the robotic technique; almost 60% of the radical prostatectomies reported here are robotically assisted.

Although the BAUS Section of Oncology has been running a radical prostatectomy audit since 2003, this is the first year that individual outcome data have been made publicly available.  National reports on the previous years BAUS audits are available on this site.

The Section has decided to keep the first year's published data as simple as possible.  We have, therefore, only listed the number of operations performed by technique, the transfusion rate, length of stay (LOS) and major post-operative complications (Clavien Dindo grade III and above). 

BAUS are aware that there are considerable gaps in the data (e.g. in 16% of the cases entered, there is no record of complications).  The complication rate in the BAUS audit is lower than the published literature would suggest; as a result, surgeons who have diligently recorded their complications may appear to have an above average complication rate.  Where there appears to be a high complication or transfusion rate, BAUS has sought explanation from the surgeons involved; they have entered into dialogue with BAUS and we commend them, both for the accuracy with which they have recorded their data and for their engagement in this process.

This is the first step in a lengthy project and we accept that it may be flawed. However, in the long term, this audit will deliver good quality data and will be a valuable tool in improving care. The Section of Oncology, in consultation with the wider membership, will continue to review the analysed data to identify any additional outcome indicators which may have potential uses in future years.

Cumulative data from previous years are available on the Data & Audit pages of the Professionals section.

Interpretation of the data

Because this is the first year of publication for radical prostatectomy data, there is insufficient information for risk adjustment, but this should be possible in future years.  

The data presented are surgeon-reported, by entry into the BAUS Data & Audit System.  There is, therefore, no method for reliably validating the data other than by comparing with Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) .  

There are no financial incentives (or sanctions) for hospitals and Trusts to support collection of radical prostatectomy data, and this may also account for the data being incomplete.