The impact of open radical retropubic prostatectomy on continence and lower urinary tract symptoms: a prospective assessment using validated self-administered outcome instruments

PURPOSE: We determined the impact of radical retropubic prostatectomy on continence and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between October 2000 and August 2002, 500 men with clinically localized prostate cancer underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy by a single surgeon, and completed the UCLA Prostate Cancer Index and American Urological Association (AUA) symptom index at baseline, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after radical prostatectomy. Univariate analysis was performed to identify factors predisposing the early return of continence. RESULTS: A total of 100%, 98.3%, 97.1%, 94.2% and 98.6% of patients filled out the UCLA Prostate Cancer Index and AUA symptom index at baseline, and 3, 6, 12 and 24 months, respectively. Based on protective pad requirement or frequency of incontinence 100%, 90.9%, 87.2%, 92.1% and 98.5% vs 98.8%, 80.6%, 91.2%, 95.2% and 98.5% of men were continent at baseline, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after surgery, respectively. Age, severity of lower urinary tract symptoms, Gleason score, nerve sparing status, blood loss or presence of benign prostatic tissue in the apical soft tissue margin did not predict early return of continence. All of the individual urinary symptoms captured by the AUA symptom score showed significant improvement after radical retropubic prostatectomy. Radical prostatectomy was associated with a mean 5.4 unit decrease in AUA symptom score (40% decrease) in men with baseline moderate/severe LUTS (AUA symptom score 8 or greater). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of men regain continence after radical retropubic prostatectomy and maximal continence is achieved by 24 months. No factors were identified that predicted early return of continence in our cohort of men undergoing radical prostatectomy. Radical prostatectomy has a clinically significant impact on improving LUTS.