The effect of surgical margin features on oncologic outcomes after radical prostatectomy

Background Evaluation of the effect of additional surgical margin parameters on biochemical recurrence (BCR) in patients with positive surgical margins (PSM) after radical prostatectomy (RP). Methods Clinicopathological and outcome data from 91 patients with PSM who underwent RP were retrospectively analyzed. Additional surgical margin parameters (PSM length, highest Gleason grade (GG), localization of PSM (apex, bladder neck, or posterolateral), and unifocality or multifocality) were examined and their effects on BCR were investigated. Results Fifty patients with PSM were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 63.6 ± 6.9 years. The laparoscopic approach was undertaken more frequently, used for 36 (72%) patients compared to open RP performed in 14 cases (28%). The median follow-up time was 57.0 months (24.0–125.0 months). BCR developed in 14 (28%) patients during the follow-up period. Although mean BCR-free survival was shorter in cases with PSM length ≥ 3 mm compared to those with PSM length