Intraoperative intraocular pressure changes during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: associations with perioperative and clinicopathological factors

Background Steep Trendelenburg position (ST) during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) poses a risk of increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) in men receiving robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). The aim of the study was to identify clinicopathological factors associated with increased IOP during RARP. Methods We prospectively studied 59 consecutive prostate cancer patients without glaucoma. IOP was measured at 6 predefined time points before, during and after the operation (T1 to T6). Results Compared with T1, IOP decreased after beginning of anesthesia(T2) (by − 6.5 mmHg, p < 0.05), and increased 1 h after induction of pneumoperitoneum in the steep Trendelenburg position (ST) (T3) (+ 7.3 mmHg, p < 0.05). IOP continued to increase until the end of ST (T4) (+ 10.2 mmHg, p < 0.05), and declined when the patient was returned to supine position under general anesthesia (T5) (T1: 20.0 and T5: 20.1 mmHg, p above 0.05). The console time affected the elevation of IOP in ST; IOP elevation during ST was more prominent in men with a console time of ≥4 h ( n = 39) than in those with a console time of < 4 h ( n = 19) (19.8 ± 6.3 and 15.4 ± 5.8 mmHg, respectively, p < 0.05). Of the 59 patients, 29 had a high baseline IOP (20.0 mmHg or higher), and their IOP elevated during ST was also reduced at T5 (T1: 22.6 and T5: 21.7 mmHg, p above 0.05). There were no postoperative ocular complications. Conclusions Console time of < 4 h is important to prevent extreme elevation of IOP during RARP. Without long console time, RARP may be safely performed in those with relatively high baseline IOP.