[Urinary continence after retropubic radical prostatectomy: retrospective study with self-administered questionnaire]

To precisely evaluate the incidence of urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy and its impact on quality of life.

A self-administered questionnaire was sent to 116 patients operated between 1987 and 1996. Preoperative and postoperative urinary continence, the time until urinary continence was achieved, the presence of urgent micturition, the degree of discomfort caused by urinary incontinence and associated voiding disorders were assessed.

The questionnaire response rate was 96.6%. The urinary incontinence rate (continuous use of pads) was 13.4%. No predictive factor for postoperative urinary incontinence was identified. Urge incontinence was present in 31.3% of cases. 85% of patients claimed to be satisfied with the operation and 95.4% declared that they would be willing to undergo radical prostatectomy again.

The incidence of urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy is acceptable and the morbidity that it generates is well tolerated and has little impact on quality of life.