Can preoperative urodynamic studies predict the continence status following radical retropubic prostatectomy?

Objectives : To verify whether bladder dysfunction detected by urodynamic s tudies prior to radical prostatectomy can predict postoperative continence status. Material and Methods : Twenty patients diagnosed with prostate cancer had m ultichannel substracted filling and voiding videocystometry, before undergo ing radical retropubic prostatectomy. Postoperatively, all patients had per iodic clinical assessment of continence status. Results : On preoperative filling cystometry: detrusor instability with a m aximal detrusor pressure greater than 15 cmH(2)O was demonstrated in 12/20 patients (60%). Postoperatively 11/20 patients (55%) were continent 4 (20%) had mild stress incontinence and 5 (25%) complained of episodic large inco ntinence. However; only 5 of the 12 patients with preoperatively diagnosed detrusor instability manifested clinical urge incontinence after surgery (p ositive predictive value = 41.6%). Conclusion : The incidence of preoperative detrusor instability in our seri es was high, but little correlation was Sound between this finding and post operative incontinence.