Radical retropubic prostatectomy

Historically, radical prostatectomy is a surgical technique associated with significant morbidity. The ability to minimize intraoperative bleeding and preserve continence and potency requires a comprehensive understanding of pelvic anatomy, meticulous surgical technique, and appropriate surgical ins truments. The anatomic radical retropubic prostatectomy first described by Walsh in 1982 represents a technique in evolution. The detailed surgical ap proach for anatomic radical retropubic prostatectomy described in this arti cle represents the author's technique that has been developed after perform ing over 2,000 radical prostatectomies since 1986. The step by step illustr ations and description of technique are designed to aid the urologic surgeo n develop an efficient approach to this surgical procedure.