RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY WITH PRESERVATION OF URINARY CONTINENCE

Purpose: In an effort to improve postoperative urinary continence afte r radical retropubic prostatectomy, a new operation to preserve the bl adder neck and a significant portion of the prostatic urethra has been developed. Materials and Methods: The prostatic urethra is dissected in continuity with the bladder away from the lumen of the prostate, wh ich allows for a true urethra-to-urethra anastomosis. Results: A total of 24 patients who underwent the new continence sparing radical retro pubic prostatectomy was compared retrospectively to 80 who previously underwent a nerve sparing procedure. Total continence was noted immedi ately in 11 patients, within 9 days in 15 and within 7 weeks in 21 of 24 who underwent the new operation, compared to 1, 5 and 33, respectiv ely, of 80 who underwent the standard operation. Microscopic positive margins were noted in 2 of 24 patients with the new continence sparing operation. Early results of cancer control were good. Conclusions: Ea rly followup of this new technique of radical retropubic prostatectomy suggest that preservation of the continence mechanism at the level of the bladder neck and prostatic urethra results in significantly impro ved postoperative urinary continence without adversely affecting cance r control.