EVOLVING EXPERIENCE WITH RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY

Thirty-six radical prostatectomies were performed over an 8-year perio d; 25 suitable patients (70%) presented with symptoms of bladder outfl ow obstruction. In 15 cases (44%), initial digital rectal examination was not indicative of malignancy. The primary tumour was understaged p re-operatively in 17 patients (48%). In 14 cases (4 1%) the pre-operat ive biopsy grade was different from the grade assigned to the tumour f ollowing radical prostatectomy. Radical prostatectomy is being perform ed with increasing frequency: trends in morbidity have been identified .