Urinary continence after retropubic radical prostatectomy: retrospective study by self-administered questionnaire

Objectives: To precisely evaluate the incidence of urinary incontinence aft er radical prostatectomy and its impact on quality of life. Material and Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was sent to 116 pat ients operated between 1987 and 1996. Preoperative and postoperative urinar y continence, the time until urinary continence was achieved, the presence of urgent micturition, the degree of discomfort caused by urinary incontine nce and associated voiding disorders were assessed. Results: The questionnaire response rate was 96.6%. The urinary incontinenc e rate (continuous use of pads) was 13.4%. No predictive factor for postope rative urinary incontinence was identified. Urge incontinence was present i n 31.3% of cases. 85% of patients claimed to be satisfied with the operatio n and 95.4% declared that they would be willing to undergo radical prostate ctomy again. Conclusion: The incidence of urinary incontinence after radical prostatecto my is acceptable and the morbidity that it generates is well tolerated and has little impact on quality of life.