Continence Following Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy

Overview

Urinary incontinence following radical retropubic prostatectomy is a serious medical and psychological compli-cation with a major negative impact on quality of life in patients with localized prostate cancer. The overall incidenceof this complication is higher than 2 % regardless whether the surgery has been done by the retropubic or perinealapproach. The correct diagnosis of incontinence is based on urodynamic investigations. Two main causes ofincontinence are detrusor hyperactivity and sphincteric insufficiency. The best prevention for postoperative incon-tinence of urine is meticulous surgery. Treatment options of incontinence are pharmacological or surgical (injectionsof collagen, autologous fat or implantation of artificial urinary sphincters).

Key words:
prostate cancer, radical retropubic prostatectomy, urinary incontinence, detrusor hyperactivity,urethral sphincter insufficiency, urodynamic investigations, anticholinergics, collagen injections.