NEW USE OF FOLEY CATHETER FOR PRECISE VESICOURETHRAL ANASTOMOSIS DURING RADICAL RETROPUBIC PROSTATECTOMY

Purpose: We describe a new method of using a Foley catheter to assist vesicourethral anastomosis during radical retropubic prostatectomy. Ma terials and Methods: A total of 81 patients underwent radical retropub ic prostatectomy with this technique. Followup ranged from 4 to 48 mon ths. Peri-catheter urethrograms were performed at 3 weeks. Patients we re evaluated specifically for bladder neck contracture, urinary contin ence and prolonged catheterization. Results: Bladder neck contracture occurred in 4.9% of the patients and 87.6% were completely continent o f urine. Only 1 patient required extended postoperative catheterizatio n. Conclusions: Use of a Foley catheter for vesicourethral anastomosis is consistent and simple, and provided good surgical results in our e xperience.