A pragmatic randomized controlled trial examining the impact of the Retzius-sparing approach on early urinary continence recovery after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-1-2017

Institution/Department

Urology

Journal Title

European urology.

MeSH Headings

Adult, Aged, Chi-Square Distribution, Device Removal, Humans, Incontinence Pads, Kaplan-Meier Estimate, Linear Models, Male, Margins of Excision, Michigan, Middle Aged, Multivariate Analysis, Proportional Hazards Models, Prostatectomy, Prostatic Neoplasms, Quality of Life, Recovery of Function, Risk Factors, Robotic Surgical Procedures, Tertiary Care Centers, Time Factors, Treatment Outcome, Urinary Catheterization, Urinary Catheters, Urinary Incontinence

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Retzius-sparing (posterior) robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) may expedite postoperative urinary continence recovery.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the short-term (≤3 mo) urinary continence (UC), urinary function (UF), and UF-related bother outcomes of posterior RARP compared with standard anterior approach RARP.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A total of 120 patients aged 40-75 yr with low-intermediate-risk prostate cancer (per the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines) underwent primary RARP at a tertiary care institution.

INTERVENTION: Eligible men were randomized to receive either posterior (n=60) or anterior (n=60) RARP.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSES: Primary outcome was UC (defined as 0 pads/one security liner per day) 1 week after catheter removal. Secondary outcomes were short-term (≤3 mo) UC recovery, and UF and UF-related bother scores (measured by the International Prostate Symptom Score [IPSS] and IPSS quality-of-life scores, respectively) assessed at 1 and 2 wk, and 1 and 3 mo following catheter removal. Continence outcomes were objectively verified using 24-hr pad weights. UC recovery was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards regression; UF and UF-related bother outcomes were compared using linear generalized estimating equations (GEEs). Perioperative complications, positive surgical margin, and biochemical recurrence-free survival (BCRFS) represent secondary outcomes reported in the study.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Compared with 48% in the anterior arm, 71% men undergoing posterior RARP were continent 1 wk after catheter removal (p=0.01); corresponding median 24-h pad weights were 25 and 5g (p=0.001). Median time to continence in posterior versus anterior RARP was 2 and 8 d postcatheter removal, respectively (log-rank p=0.02); results were confirmed on multivariable regression analyses. GEE analyses showed that UF-related bother (but not UF) scores were significantly lower in the posterior versus anterior RARP group at 1 wk, 2 wk, and 1 mo on GEE analyses. Incidence of postoperative complications (12% anterior vs 18% posterior) and probability of BCRFS (0.91 vs 0.91) were comparable in the two arms.

CONCLUSIONS: In this single-center randomized study, the Retzius-sparing approach of RARP resulted in earlier recovery of UC and lower UF-related bother compared with standard RARP. These results require long-term validation and reproduction by other centers, as well as studies on men with high-risk localized disease.

PATIENT SUMMARY: In our hands, men with low-intermediate-risk prostate cancer undergoing Retzius-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) had earlier recovery of urinary continence and lower urinary function-related bother than those undergoing standard RARP.

ISSN

1873-7560

First Page

677

Last Page

685

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS