Steinberg, Ryan L.

Objective The United Nations defines sustainability as meeting needs of the present without compromising future generations. While often equated to “saving the planet”, sustainability is a diverse topic. Healthcare generates >5% of CO 2 emissions worldwide, yet sustainability efforts in urology are limited. The North Central Section of the American Urological Association (NCSAUA) recently convened a Sustainability Task Force to address this topic. This study queried members on sustainability in urologic practice. Methods Following literature review on sustainability in surgery/urology, a 19-item anonymous REDCap survey was developed and distributed via email to NCSAUA members (N = 1607). The survey assessed current best practice, institutional/personal sustainability, and demographics. Responses were compiled and summarized using descriptive statistics. Results Survey response rate was 4.9% (79/1607). Respondents were most commonly from metropolitan areas (82%), male (71%), and in practice for 5–14 years (29%). Sustainability topics were prioritized as: (1) financial, (2) future workforce, (3) environmental. Over half (56%) reported no institutional sustainability programs or were unaware of them. Instrument (67%), computer (68%), and paper (65%) recycling were supported by a majority of respondents. However, only 28% and 29% of respondents reported current institutional use of instrument and computer recycling, respectively. Telemedicine was infrequent, with most urologists (58%) conducting 0-5% of visits virtually. Conclusions Current institutional and urologic practice emphasis on sustainability is low. Respondents ranked highest sustainability priorities as financial and future workforce. Efforts to address environmental sustainability were also supported, namely reduction of disposables and waste. The findings support the development of targeted programs to advance sustainability priorities widely.

Introduction: Tissue retraction during minimally invasive surgery has been achieved to date with patient positioning or additional instrumentation. The Levita™ Magnetic Surgical System (San Mateo, CA), a novel, noninvasive, magnetic retraction device for minimally invasive surgery, has been used to facilitate reduced-port robotic prostatectomy using a multiport robotic platform. With the release of the da Vinci SP robotic system (Intuitive, Sunnyvale, CA), we now report a multi-institutional initial case series of magnet-assisted robotic prostatectomy using the single-port robotic platform. Materials and Methods: An IRB-approved, retrospective chart review was performed of all patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy using the da Vinci SP surgical system and a single Levita magnetic retractor in treatment of prostatic adenocarcinoma at two institutions from November 2018 to January 2019. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data were collected for descriptive analysis. Results: A total of 15 men, median age 62 years (range 57–71), with mean PSA 7.0 ± 2.3 underwent surgery. The robotic cannula and a single 12-mm assistant port were utilized in all cases, the latter for suction, suture passage, and clip placement; the magnetic retractor aided with posterior dissection, dorsal venous complex stitch placement, bladder neck dissection, and lymphadenectomy. No cases required conversion to a multiport robotic platform, laparoscopy, or open surgery, nor placement of additional assistant ports. No intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred. Average operative time was 224 ± 43 minutes and blood loss was 198 ± 115 mL. All patients were discharged home within 2 days of surgery. Conclusions: Robotic prostatectomy utilizing the da Vinci SP system is feasible, safe, and effective. Use of the magnetic retractor facilitates tissue exposure and improves procedure ergonomics, mimicking the conventional multiport technique. Further exploration of magnet utilization in robotic surgery and optimization of assistant port placement for true single-site surgery is warranted.