Preservation of the internal vesical sphincter and proximal urethra during retropubic radical prostatectomy may improve earlier recovery of continence in selected patients

To evaluate the influence of preservation of the muscular internal sphincter and proximal urethra on continence recovery after radical prostatectomy (RP). Fifty-five consecutive patients with organ confined prostate cancer were submitted to RP with the preservation of muscular internal sphincter and the proximal urethra (group 1) and compared to 55 patients submitted to standard procedure (group 2). Continence rates were assessed using a self-administrated questionnaire at 3, 7, 30 days and 3, 12 months after removal of the catheter. Group 1 had a faster recovery of continence than group 2 at 3 days (50.9% vs. 25.5%; P=.005), at 7 days (78.2% vs. 58.2%; P=.020), at 30 days (80.0% vs. 61.8%; P=.029) and at 3 months (81.8% vs. 61.8%; P=.017); there were no statistically difference in terms of continence at 12 months among the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis of continence showed that surgical technique was significantly associated with earlier time to continence at 3 and 7 days. The two groups had no significant differences in terms of surgical margins. Our modified technique of RP with preservation of smooth muscular internal sphincter as well as of the proximal urethra during bladder neck dissection resulted in significant increased early urinary continence at 3, 7, 30 days and 3 months after catheter removal. The technique does not increase the rate of positive margins and the duration of the procedure.