保留尿道括约功能的前列腺癌根治术165例报告

目的：探讨保留尿道括约功能的前列腺癌根治术后病人发生尿失禁的影响因素。方法：采用尿道外括约肌保留、膀胱颈及前列腺前括约肌（PPS）保留、勃起神经保留等方法行前列腺根治手术165例。通过调查表和尿垫试验,从主观和客观两方面进行随访。结果：尿道外括约肌保留组尿失禁发生率为0．7％,括约肌修复组为5．3％;按年龄分组：50岁－组拔除导尿管时,60％出现尿失禁,60岁－组拔除导尿管时,82％出现尿失禁。但3个月以后,两组趋于一致。结论：外科技术和病人年龄是影响根治性前列腺切除术后尿失禁发生的重要因素,保留尿道外括约肌及保留尿控制机制可以减少术后尿失禁发生率。年轻病人术后易恢复尿控状态,而年龄较大的病人恢复较慢。     

腹腔镜根治性前列腺切除术中尿控功能保护的方法和手术技巧

目的探讨腹腔镜根治性前列腺切除术中尿控功能的保护,预防术后尿失禁的手术方法及技巧。方法对2008年10月至2012年6月施行的81例腹腔镜前列腺癌根治术资料进行回顾性研究。81例TNM分期为T1C～T2C的前列腺癌患者行腹腔镜前列腺癌根治术,其中经腹膜外径路15例,经腹腔途径66例。术中注重以下策略：①可靠处理背血管复合体;②尽量保留神经血管束,对部分低危患者施行筋膜内根治性前列腺切除术;③保留足够的功能性尿道;④黏膜对黏膜无张力吻合。所有患者于术后1、3、6和12个月随访尿控情况。结果术后留置导尿管7～23d。所有患者均随访满6个月,77例患者随访满12个月。术后6个月,白天62例（76．5％）患者尿控良好,尿失禁19例;夜间68例（84．0％）患者尿控良好,尿失禁13例。术后12个月,白天70例（90．9％）患者尿控良好,尿失禁7例;夜间74例（96．1％）患者尿控良好,仍有尿失禁3例。筋膜内根治性前列腺切除术5例,术后7～11d拔除导尿管后,仅1例白天有尿失禁,随访至术后3个月,已无一例存在尿失禁。随访期间无一例出现尿道狭窄。结论腹腔镜根治性前列腺切除术后的尿控功能恢复是渐进式的,绝大多数患者在术后12个月恢复尿控能力。术野清晰,努力做到解剖性前列腺切除,保留尽可能多的功能性尿道长度,黏膜对黏膜无张力吻合（避免术后尿道狭窄）,将膜部尿道缝合至趾骨后就能获得良好的尿控效果。对低危的前列腺癌患者施行筋膜内根治性前列腺切除术将能获得最佳尿控结果。     

提高前列腺癌根治术后尿控能力的临床研究

目的：探讨提高前列腺癌根治术后尿控能力的方法。方法：对15例前列腺癌采用保留尿道膜部括约肌及前列腺侧旁神经血管束的方法进行前列腺癌根治术。结果：经6—45个月随访，15例患者排尿通畅，无肿瘤复发，除1例有轻度尿失禁外，余14例6个月内均恢复尿控能力。结论：保留尿道膜部括约肌及前列腺侧旁神经血管束的方法能减低前列腺癌根治术后尿失禁。     

保留尿控功能在耻骨后前列腺癌根治术的应用

目的:探讨保护耻骨前列腺韧带和保护尿道膜部括约肌群在耻骨后前列腺癌根治术后减少尿失禁的作用.方法:Ⅰ组32例前列腺癌按常规操作行耻骨后前列腺癌根治术,Ⅱ组32例前列腺癌采用保留耻骨前列腺韧带和尿道膜部括约肌群的方法行耻骨后前列腺癌根治术,术后1、3、6、12个月分别随访尿失禁情况.结果:两组年龄和PSA无显著差异,两组前列腺尖端切缘均无肿瘤残留,前列腺侧缘阳性率类似.Ⅱ组术后1、3、6个月尿控效果明显优于I组(P<0.05),但1年随访,Ⅰ组和Ⅱ组尿控效果类似.结论:在耻骨后前列腺癌根治术中保留耻骨前列腺韧带作用和尿道膜部括约肌群有显著提高近期尿控的效果,但1年随访两组尿控率无明显差异.     

AdVance吊带球部尿道悬吊术与AUS植入术治疗中重度男性压力性尿失禁的长期疗效分析

目的评估AdVance吊带球部尿道悬吊术和人工尿道括约肌(AUS)植入术治疗中重度男性压力性尿失禁的长期疗效。方法回顾性分析2011年6月至2017年6月于北京大学人民医院行手术治疗的12例男性尿失禁患者的临床资料。年龄中位值75(64～80)岁。其中根治性前列腺切除术后9例, 经尿道前列腺切除术后3例。尿失禁病史中位值3(1～9)年, 每日使用尿垫量中位值8(5～10)片。其中5例为中度尿失禁, 7例为重度尿失禁。12例中6例行AdVance吊带球部尿道悬吊术(为AdVance组), 6例行AUS植入术(为AUS组)。AdVance组年龄中位值72(64～73)岁;每日使用尿垫量中位值6(5～8)片;尿失禁生活质量问卷(I-QOL)评分(15.0±5.4)分;5例为中度尿失禁, 1例为重度尿失禁。AUS组年龄中位值78(76～80)岁, 每日使用尿垫量中位值8(6～10)片, I-QOL评分(16.7±5.1)分, 均为重度尿失禁。记录患者术后1、5年的每日尿垫使用量、I-QOL评分, 同时记录术后并发症情况。结果所有手术均顺利完成。术后随访5～7年, 平均5.5年。AdVance组...     

人工尿道括约肌植入术重建控尿功能的远期随访效果

目的 探讨人工尿道括约肌植入术重建控尿功能的长期效果.方法 尿失禁患者15例.男14例,女1例.年龄19～75岁.其中外伤性完全性尿失禁5例、神经性压力性尿失禁1例、神经性反射性尿失禁1例、前列腺术后尿失禁6例、神经性排尿障碍2例.患者术前行尿道狭窄切开术3例、尿道括约肌切开术3例、肠道膀胱扩大及输尿管抗反流术1例.植入人工尿道括约肌(AUS),男性袖套植于球部尿道、控制泵植于阴囊,女性袖套植于膀胱颁、控制泵植于大阴唇下,储水囊植于膀胱外盆腔.15例随访13～55个月,平均37个月,观察控尿和尿垫使用及并发症发生情况.结果15例患者术后AUS正常使用13例(87%),其中完全控尿者12例(92%)、社交可接受性控尿1例(8%).依靠原始植入装置控尿者11例(85%)、经修复术后控尿者2例(15%).发生并发症4例(27%),其中阴囊皮肤及尿道侵蚀、异物反应、尿道萎缩、排尿困难各1例,2例取出装置.随访期内11例依靠原始植入装置控尿者装置使用期为13～55个月,平均38个月.结论 AUS植入术是下尿路功能重建中一种长期可靠的方法.     

人工尿道括约肌治疗尿失禁(附四例报告)

目的　探讨人工尿道括约肌治疗真性尿失禁的效果和安全性。　方法　采用美国AMS公司 80 0型人工尿道括约肌植入治疗 4例真性尿失禁患者 ,记录手术前后的排尿日记 ,尿动力学测定 ,观察其不良反应。　结果　 4例患者人工尿道括约肌植入术后 4～ 6周开通人工尿道括约肌 ,尿失禁得到良好控制 ,恢复自主排尿 ,未出现因感染而取出装置的严重并发症 ;随访 17～ 4 6个月 ,白天或夜间均无漏尿 ,无需尿垫 ,能自主排尿 ,生活质量评分平均 1分。尿动力学测定膀胱顺应性及稳定性良好 ,最大尿道闭合压 8.2～ 9.4kPa ,平均 8.7kPa ,3例无剩余尿 ,1例有少量剩余尿 ,仅 1例曾因机械故障更换控制泵。　结论　人工尿道括约肌植入术治疗真性尿失禁疗效满意 ,手术简单 ,安全可靠 ,无严重并发症。     

保留尿道远端括约肌控尿复合体在腹腔镜前列腺癌根治术中的初步应用研究

目的:探讨保留尿道远端括约肌控尿复合体的新技术应用于腹腔镜前列腺癌根治术中的价值。方法:以2018年4月至2018年8月收治的20例中低危前列腺癌患者为研究对象,采用保留尿道远端括约肌控尿复合体技术的腹腔镜前列腺癌根治术。收集患者术前基线数据、围手术期护理数据、手术时间、术中出血量、术后住院时间、术后并发症、导尿管留置时间、术后完全尿控时间、切缘阳性率等数据。结果:20例手术均顺利完成。手术时间平均(108.5±18.2)min,术中出血量中位数96(58.0～164.2)mL,术后平均住院(4±0)d,导尿管留置时间平均(14±0)d。切缘阳性率10%。术后2周拔除导尿管后即刻完全控尿率75%,术后6个月完全控尿率95%。结论:腹腔镜前列腺癌根治术中采用保留尿道远端括约肌控尿复合体新技术安全、可行,术后短期尿控率高,但操作难度较大,术者需充分熟悉前列腺解剖并具有熟练的腹腔镜技术。     

会阴悬带治疗男性压力性尿失禁:采用量表评估随访24个月

男性压力性尿失禁多发生于前列腺根治性切除和经尿道前列腺电切术后 ,或尿道括约肌神经性病变。压力性尿失禁给患者造成极大烦脑 ,并严重影响患者的生活质量。作者采用会阴吊带治疗男性压力性尿失禁 ,并在这项前瞻性研究中 ,随访 1年以上。研究中 ,共有 36例男性压力性尿失禁患者接受了会阴吊带手术 ,采用UCLA前列腺癌指数排尿功能部分量表和尿垫使用量对术前后患者的尿失禁困扰程度进行评估。平均随访 2 5个月。统计方法采用Mann Whit ney检验。结果显示 :经会阴吊带术后 ,2 4例 ( 6 7% )不再需要尿垫 ,5例 ( 14 % )每天需用 1个尿垫 ,4…     

人工尿道括约肌植入术治疗压力性尿失禁长期随访结果

目的探讨人工尿道括约肌植入术治疗压力性尿失禁的长期疗效。方法回顾性分析中国康复研究中心2002年4月至2022年4月行人工尿道括约肌植入术治疗46例压力性尿失禁患者的临床资料。男45例, 女1例;年龄19～80岁, 平均45.6岁;患者病程8个月至33年。其中尿道外伤术后尿失禁24例, 神经源性尿失禁9例, 前列腺术后尿失禁13例。术前每日尿垫使用量(3.5±1.0)片, 尿失禁对生活质量影响的视觉模拟症状(VAS)评分(7.1±1.2)分。46例均行人工尿道括约肌植入术, 其中20例植入术前行药物治疗或尿路相关手术(口服抗胆碱能药物5例, 尿道狭窄切开术2例, 括约肌切开术3例, 尿道扩张术5例, 尿道结石碎石术1例, 肠道膀胱扩大术4例)。45例男性中25例经会阴入路, 20例经阴囊入路;1例女性采用经腹入路。根据术中测量球部尿道周径选择袖套, 其中男性16例袖套周径为4.5 cm, 29例为4.0 cm;1例女性患者袖套周径为8 cm。随访手术长期疗效, 观察患者术后控尿情况(社交控尿定义为每日使用尿垫≤1片, 完全干燥定义为无需使用尿垫), 装置使用状态及并发症。对比不同病因、...     

Effect of radical prostatectomy on sensory threshold and pressure transmission

PURPOSE: The mechanisms involved in post-radical prostatectomy incontinence remain unclear despite previous anatomical and functional studies. In addition, the factors responsible for the restoration of continence are not well studied. To improve our understanding of the alterations in continence mechanisms, we prospectively investigated the temporal changes in urodynamic parameters after radical prostatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cystometry, urethral pressure profilometry and posterior urethral sensory threshold measurements were performed in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy. Preoperative pressure transmission was determined by the maximal urethral pressure divided by the maximal abdominal pressure during cough maneuvers at a bladder volume of 200 ml. Postoperative sensory threshold, pressure transmission (% of pressure transmission), maximal urethral closure pressure and functional sphincter length were measured 6 weeks and 6 months after prostatectomy. These parameters were compared between continent and incontinent patients. RESULTS: Preoperative and postoperative urodynamic studies were completed in 34 patients. The continence rate after 6 weeks was 18% (6 patients) and improved to 82% (28) after 6 months. Preoperatively sensory threshold was 16 +/- 11 mA. After 6 weeks and 6 months, respectively, sensory threshold was significantly higher in incontinent (84 +/- 11 mA., 70 +/- 8 mA.) compared to continent (65 +/- 8 mA., 41 +/- 12 mA.) patients. Preoperative proximal urethral sensory threshold was not correlated with degree of postoperative incontinence determined by pad tests. Pressure transmission was not different in continent and incontinent patients postoperatively. After 6 weeks and 6 months, respectively, pressure transmission was 77% and 91% in continent, and 37% and 58% in incontinent patients (p = 0.04, p = 0.03). Maximal urethral closure pressure was significantly higher in continent patients (35 +/- 6 cm. H2O) compared to incontinent patients (11 +/- 9 cm. H2O). Sphincter length decreased from 50 mm. preoperatively to 24 mm. after 6 weeks and 25 mm. after 6 months. There was no difference in sphincter length between continent and incontinent patients. CONCLUSIONS: Posterior urethral sensitivity and pressure transmission are impaired immediately after prostatectomy. An improvement in these parameters after 6 months is associated with the restoration of continence. These observations suggest that urinary continence after radical prostatectomy depends on the integrity of posterior urethral sensation and the efficiency of pressure transmission.     

Revision rate after artificial urinary sphincter implantation for incontinence after radical prostatectomy: actuarial analysis

PURPOSE: We determined the actuarial revision rate for artificial urinary sphincters implanted in patients who were incontinent after radical prostatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the records of 70 consecutive patients who were incontinent after radical prostatectomy and who underwent primary artificial urinary sphincter implantation at the University of Michigan between 1984 and 1999. Questionnaires were mailed to all patients with an indwelling device, and telephone calls were placed to those who did not respond to the mailing. Information about surgical revision and current continence status was obtained from chart review and questionnaire response. The Kaplan-Meier curves for actuarial freedom from operative revision were constructed. RESULTS: Of the 66 patients with available postoperative data 24 (36%) required reoperation at a mean followup of 41 months. The 5-year actuarial rate for freedom from any operative revision was 50%, and the corresponding rate for cuff revision was 60%. A single operative revision did not predispose the patient to further revision. Questionnaire data indicated a continence rate of 80% (range 0 to 2 pads). CONCLUSIONS: Approximately half of the patients who were incontinent after radical prostatectomy may expect to undergo operative revision within 5 years after artificial urinary sphincter implantation. Despite this high reoperation rate, an excellent level of continence is maintained.     

Impact of anatomical radical prostatectomy on urinary continence

Urinary continence following an anatomical approach to radical prostatectomy was evaluated in 593 consecutive patients, 547 (92%) of whom achieved complete urinary control. Stress incontinence was present in 46 patients (8%), of whom 34 (6%) wore 1 or fewer pads per day and 2 (0.3%) required placement of an artificial sphincter. No patient was totally incontinent. Age, weight of the prostate, prior transurethral resection of the prostate, pathological stage and preservation or wide excision of the neurovascular bundles had no significant influence on preservation of urinary control. These data suggest that anatomical factors rather than preservation of autonomic innervation may be responsible for the improved urinary control associated with an anatomical approach to radical prostatectomy.     

Improved continence after radical retropubic prostatectomy using two pubo-urethral suspension stitches

OBJECTIVES: To determine if placement of urethral suspension stitches during radical retropubic prostatectomy improves postoperative urinary continence. METHODS: Between January 1997 and January 1998 we performed radical retropubic prostatectomy on 50 men. The first 25 consecutive men had their surgery without urethral suspension stitches while the next 25 received placement of two anastomotic urethral suspension stitches anchored to the lower portion of the pubic bone. Patients were interviewed six months postoperatively and each underwent valsalva leak-point pressure measurement. Patients were categorized as either completely continent (requiring no pads and having no measurable valsalva leak point), socially continent (zero or one pad per day), or incontinent (two or more pads per day). RESULTS: In the urethral suspension group, 8/25 (32%) patients were completely continent and did not have a measurable valsalva leak-point pressure while 3/25 (12%) without urethral suspension were completely continent. Of the remaining patients in the urethral suspension group, 13/17 (76%) patients were socially continent while 4/17 (24%) were incontinent. The mean valsalva leak-point pressure in the 17 patients with suspension stitches was 89.6 +/- 21.6 cm H2O. In the patients without urethral suspension, there were 22 patients who had some degree of incontinence. Among non-stitch patients, 13/22 (59%) were socially continent while 9/22 (41%) were incontinent. The average valsalva leak-point pressure in these patients was 74.0 +/- 16.7 cm H2O, which was significantly lower than those with the suspension (p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: Placement of anastomotic urethral suspension stitches during radical retropubic prostatectomy may increase the likelihood of complete postoperative urinary continence. The urethral suspension stitches also increase valsalva leak-point pressure, which may improve the percentage of patients with socially acceptable incontinence.     

Urinary continence following radical prostatectomy assessed by a self-administered questionnaire

OBJECTIVES: A total aim of this study was to assess the incidence of urinary incontinence in patients following radical prostatectomy and determine the factors that may influence this incidence. METHODS: A total of 135 men underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy at our center between 1987 and 1997. 120 patients were sent a questionnaire regarding preoperative and postoperative voiding habits. Data collected included preoperative and postoperative continence status, interval to postoperative continence status, associated urinary symptoms, willingness to undergo radical prostatectomy again if need be and additional postoperative procedures. Patient age, date of surgery, number of neurovascular bundles resected at prostatectomy and duration of follow-up were also noted. RESULTS: Of the 120 patients, 116 (96.7%), a mean of 65.2 (range 48-76) years old, responded to the questionnaire. Mean follow-up was 4.3 years (range 1-10.8). Continence was defined as no regular use of pads. Our overall urinary incontinence rate was 14.4%. Of the respondents, 88. 8% (103/116) had achieved final continence status by 6 months postoperatively, and 95% (110/116) would undergo surgery again if need be. Of the patients considered incontinent postoperatively, 66. 6% had associated urgency. Age, year of surgery, number of neurovascular bundles resected at prostatectomy, preoperative urinary leakage of postvoiding dribbling, postoperative pelvic floor exercises, and anastomotic stricture had no significant impact on postoperative continence status. CONCLUSIONS: Using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire, we found a 14.4% incontinence rate after radical prostatectomy. These results allow patients to have realistic expectations when counseled prior to this operation.     

Urinary continence after radical prostatectomy: Predictive factors of recovery after 1 year of surgery

Objectives: To evaluate the clinical prognosis of incontinence and to determine the predictors for further recovery of urinary continence in patients not achieving urinary continence within 1 year after radical prostatectomy. Methods: A total of 708 patients were evaluated regarding urinary continence status at 1 year after surgery from a prospectively maintained radical prostatectomy database. Of these, 73 (10.3%) did not recover urinary continence within 1 year after surgery. For these patients, incontinence status and the number of pads for urinary control were assessed serially. Results: In 708 patients, factors associated with the recovery of urinary continence within 1 year after radical prostatectomy were membranous urethral length, prostatic apex shape and patient age. Among 73 patients with urinary incontinence, 41 (56.2%) achieved urinary continence with a mean time of 15.4 months subsequent to the first year after radical prostatectomy (baseline). A younger age at surgery (P = 0.027) and one pad being required (vs≥2 pads) at baseline (P = 0.046) were identified as independent factors for achievement of urinary continence within a further 2 years. Only the number of pads was a significant factor for further recovery of urinary continence in the longer follow up (hazard ratio 0.36, P = 0.029). Conclusion: Compared with factors related to the prostate or membranous urethra, patient age and severity of incontinence at 1 year after radical prostatectomy are more strongly related to the recovery of urinary continence later than 1 year after surgery. These findings might help to decide whether a definite treatment is required for persistent incontinence beyond 1 year after radical prostatectomy.     

Long-term continence and patient satisfaction after artificial sphincter implantation for urinary incontinence after prostatectomy.

PURPOSE: We assess long-term continence and patient satisfaction after implantation of the AMS Sphincter 800 (American Medical Systems, Minnetonka, Minnesota) in men who were incontinent after total and subtotal prostatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who had an artificial urinary sphincter implanted for urinary incontinence after prostatectomy and a minimum of 20 months of followup were identified from a patient database. The medical records of these 209 patients were reviewed, and a questionnaire was mailed. Telephone contact was attempted with patients who did not respond to the questionnaire. Of the 209 patients 11 (5%) had undergone device removal, 34 (16%) were deceased and an additional 51 (24%) could not be contacted for followup. Our study group consisted of the 113 patients with artificial urinary sphincters who could be contacted for followup. Mean followup was 73 months (range 20 to 170). RESULTS: There were 4 (4%) patients who were dry and continent and 68 (60%) were incontinent using 0 to 1 pad daily. An additional 35 (31%) patients required 2 to 3 pads daily and 5 (4%) used more than 3 daily. There were 14 (12%) patients who had undergone surgical revision of the device. Of the 113 patients 31 (28%) were very satisfied, 50 (45%) satisfied, 20 (18%) neutral, 7 (6%) dissatisfied and 4 (4%) very dissatisfied. One patient was not using his device to control continence. CONCLUSIONS: Artificial urinary sphincter implantation offers men who are incontinent after prostatectomy a reasonable chance for obtaining long-term satisfactory urinary control, although complete continence is unusual.     

Biofeedback vs verbal feedback as learning tools for pelvic muscle exercises in the early management of urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the comparative effectiveness of electromyographic (EMG) biofeedback with verbal instructions as learning tools of pelvic muscle exercises (PMEs) in the early management of urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-two consecutive patients (mean age 64 years, sd 4.2), with urinary incontinence after radical retropubic prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer, were randomized to receive biofeedback (group A, 28 men) or verbal feedback (group B, 14 men) as learning tools for PMEs immediately after catheter removal. Group A received 15 sessions of EMG biofeedback (three times weekly, 30 min each) and group B verbal instructions. Evaluation at baseline and 1, 2, 3 and 6 months included the 1-h pad-test and a questionnaire (number of pads/day and incontinence episodes). RESULTS: By the last follow-up, 27 patients had received biofeedback and 15 verbal instructions. Data were analysed according to the intention-to-treat principle. Urine loss as assessed by the 1-h pad-test at baseline, 1, 2, 3 and 6 months was 39, 18, 7, 4 and 3 g for group A and 31, 11, 3, 1 and 0 g for group B, respectively (P > 0.05). The number of pads/day was 3.9, 3.4, 1.2, 0.8 and 0.4 for group A and 3.6, 1.8, 0.9, 0.4 and 0.2 for group B, respectively (P > 0.05). The overall continence rate at 6 months was objectively (urine loss > 1 g) 91% and subjectively (0-1 pad/day) 95%. CONCLUSION: Intensive verbal instructions and biofeedback were both very effective behavioural methods and learning tools for PMEs in the early management of urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy.     

前列腺癌根治术中保护控尿功能的体会

目的：减少耻骨后前列腺癌根治术患者术后尿失禁发生率。方法：对16例B超前列腺癌患者行保护控尿功能的解剖性耻骨后前列腺癌根治术。结果：16例术后随访3个月-5年，平均13个月。膀胱控尿正常者13例，轻度压力性尿失禁者2例，严重尿失禁者1例。结论：在行耻骨后前列腺癌根治术时，认识尿道括约肌及其支配神经的解剖位置及结构，避免对其损伤可以减少术后尿失禁发生率。     

Analysis of risk factors for urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy

INTRODUCTION: Our aim was to identify the independent risk factors associated with urinary incontinence after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using univariate and multivariate analyses, we examined several pre- and perioperative factors. One hundred and sixty-six patients were divided into three groups: patients who were immediately continent after catheter removal (group I), patients who became continent later (group II) and incontinent patients (group III). RESULTS: There were 34 patients (20.5%) in group I, 111 (66.9%) in group II, and 21 (12.6%) in group III. The multivariate analysis between the continent and incontinent patients proved that the postoperatively measured total length of the posterior urethra (strongly associated with length of the sphincter, length of the urethral stump and the presence of anastomotic stricture) was the independent risk factor for permanent incontinence or delayed continence following RRP. The age of patients per se represented a risk factor only for delayed continence, but not for permanent incontinence. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperatively measured shorter posterior urethral length results in an increased risk of urinary incontinence and delays continence after RRP. It seems that older age only delays reaching continence.