Open Access

ARTICLE

Anew suture technique for anastomosis in radical retropubic prostatectomy and early removal of urethral catheter

Levent N. Türkeri, Yusuf Temiz, Cenk M. Yazici, Ilker Tinay

Department of Urology, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
Address correspondence to Dr. Levent N.Türkeri, Prof. of Urology, Department of Urology, Marmara University Hospital, Tophanelioglu Cd. 13-15, Altunizade (34662),Istanbul, Turkey

Canadian Journal of Urology 2007, 14(6), 3734-3738.

Abstract

Introduction: A modified suture technique for urethro-vesical anastomosis during radical retropubic prostatectomy was developed and utilized in a cohort of patients. Comparative analysis of postoperative outcome was performed with a previous group of patients who had an anastomosis with the conventional technique.
Material and methods: A consecutive group of patients who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy in our department with the diagnosis of localized prostate cancer was included in this retrospective study. Urethro-vesical anastomosis was performed either with the new or conventional method (CM). Outcome data of these two different patient sets were compared.
Results: One-hundred and one consecutive patients (mean age of 61.9 years) who were operated by either one of the two anastomotic suture techniques composed our study group. The mean follow-up period was 18 months (min: 12 - max: 24). Urethro-vesical "U" (UVU) suture was performed in 51 patients, and CM in 50 patients. Foley catheter was removed at postoperative fourth day in 33 (64.7%) and 18 (36%) patients in UVU and CM groups, respectively (p < 0.01). Incontinence rate was significantly lower in the UVU group at postoperative first year (p < 0.0005). Anastomotic strictures were observed in only 1.9% of the cases in UVU group, compared to 4% in CM group.
Conclusion: Outcome data from our patient group indicate that UVU suture may allow a high quality urethro-vesical anastomosis with a very favorable outcome in terms of early catheter removal, high continence and low stricture formation rates in patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy. Further validation of these results requires a prospective randomized trial.

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