Early recovery of urinary continence after radical prostatectomy: Correlation with vesico‐urethral anastomosis location in the pelvic cavity measured by postoperative cystography

OBJECTIVES: To determine the association of vesico-urethral anastomosis location (VUAL) with early recovery of urinary continence (UC) after radical prostatectomy (RP). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 678 patients who underwent RP was carried out. Patients were divided into three groups based on the VUAL as determined by postoperative cystography: group I - VUAL above the upper margin of the symphysis pubis (SP), group II - between the upper margin and the middle of the SP, and group III - below the middle of the SP. Early recovery of UC was defined as using no pads or an occasional security pad within 3 months. Recovery rates were compared between the groups and factors predicting an early recovery of UC were investigated. RESULTS: Among all patients, 62.2% achieved an early recovery of UC. Patients in group I were younger, with a longer membranous urethra, greater percent of nerve sparing and shorter time to continence than those in groups II or III. Early recovery rates were 89.5%, 69.8% and 40.7% in group I, II and III, respectively (P < 0.001). VUAL remained an independent predictor of early recovery of UC (OR 3.2 for group I vs II and 10.8 for group I vs III [P < 0.001]) when adjusted for age, operative time, membranous urethral length and operation by surgeon with high surgical volume. CONCLUSION: VUAL represents an independent predictor of recovery of UC after RP. A higher VUAL is associated with a higher rate of early recovery of UC.