PELVIC PAIN FOLLOWING RADICAL RETROPUBIC PROSTATECTOMY - A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY

Objectives. To evaluate subacute and chronic pelvic pain after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) performed for clinically localized pro state cancer. Methods. Twenty-four consecutive patients undergoing RRP completed pain, quality-of-life, and incontinence questionnaires, The y also wore pads for 24 hours to measure urine loss objectively before and after surgery. Results. Three patients had pelvic pain preoperati vely. Thirteen, 7, and 5 patients had pelvic pain at 1, 3, and 6 month s, respectively, after RRP. At 6 months, none of the 5 patients with p elvic pain required analgesic medication. There was a strong relations hip between pain and cancer worry, as well as between pain and inconti nence. Conclusions. Many patients have subacute pelvic pain after RRP but improve over time. Severe chronic pain is unlikely after RRP. (C) 1997, Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.