MONDAY, Feb. 22 (HealthDay News) -- Results are similar for men with prostate cancer whether they have open surgery or laparoscopic surgery, a new study has found.

Currently, open radical prostatectomy (ORP) is considered the standard treatment but the use of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP), with or without robotic assistance, is becoming more widespread.

In the new study, researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City compared ORP and LRP outcomes in nearly 6,000 men, age 66 or older, with localized prostate cancer.

After they adjusted for patient and tumor characteristics, the researchers found no differences in the rates of general medical/surgical complications, genital/urinary/bowel complications, or in use of postoperative radiation and/or androgen deprivation.

Patients in the LRP group had a 35 percent shorter hospital stay and a lower rate of bladder neck/urethral obstruction, the study authors noted.

"All men considering radical prostatectomy should be clearly informed about the differences between the two techniques and similarities in their expected outcomes, and make treatment decisions in collaboration with an experienced surgeon," Dr. William T. Lowrance and colleagues wrote in their report, which is published in the Feb. 22 issue of the Journal of Urology.

More information

The American Urological Association has more about prostate cancer surgery.