Radical prostatectomy involves the surgical removal of the entire prostate gland and the seminal vesicles. Recently the open operation has been challenged by laparoscopic and robotic techniques. However, making the transition to this new technology is not an easy option. Avoiding surgical complications such as incontinence and ensuring continued erectile function following the procedure requires good surgical technique by whatever means. The editors and their distinguished team of contributors from around the world offer the reader their guidance based on personal experience and best surgical practice. Radical Prostatectomy is required reading for all those performing radical prostatectomy by open, laparoscopic or robotic techniques.

Technology seems to be an integral part of modern living. Urologists have over the years embraced new technological advances for patient beneft. On some occasions, however, the initial enthusiasm in something new has failed to endure rigorous scientifc scrutiny. Thus, while being technological leaders, we urologists know better than most other surgical speci- ties that what is new is not necessarily good. This textbook is aimed at urologists and surgeons at all levels and has contributions from international experts. The topics vary from robotics to lasers to single port laparoscopy. The comprehensive chapters should be of equal interest to uro-oncologists and those involved in treating benign urological diseases. While the contents are meant to bring the reader up to date with technological advances, the authors have attempted to balance their enthusiasm with basic science, translational research, and clinical outcomes. It will be obvious that some of the s- jects mentioned here, such as nanotechnology, are still evolving, and it will be a while before they undergo clinical trials that establish their position in clinical medicine. We hope you enjoy reading this book as much as we have enjoyed creating it. London, UK Prof. Prokar Dasgupta Dublin, Ireland Prof. John Fitzpatrick London, UK Prof. Roger Kirby CA, USA Prof. Inderbir S. Gill vii Acknowledgements The editors thank all authors for their time and valuable contributions. We are also grateful to our developmental editors Joni Fraser and Barbara Lopez-Lucio.

This story is 12 years of a journey taken by me as a grieving father, my ups and downs and how I process loss. On April 8, 2001 I experienced the worst day of my life, the loss of my beautiful 19 month old daughter Autumn Rae. It was a day like any other I had gone to work that beautiful Sunday morning, finished my day and returned home. Home is where the heart is and where my family and I live and love. We reside in a very rural area at the base of the mountain 3 miles off the secondary road in the pastoral setting. I've heard it said that men grieve entirely different than women I know this to be a fact my wife Michelle and I process this loss entirely different this is the loss through my eyes as a father.