[Morbidity and quality of life following radical retropubic prostatectomy]

Radical retropubic prostatectomy is associated with urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. The purpose of this study is to evaluate postoperatively the quality of life of these patients as well as the occurrence of urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. MATERIAL OG METHODS: 159 patients operated with radical retropubic prostatectomy between 1996 and 2000 were asked to fill in a questionnaire in order to evaluate their quality of life after the procedure; the response rate was 82 %. This information was compared to preoperative as well as histopathological data.

55 % of the patients with normal erection before operation had an erection that allowed intercourse at the time they answered the questionnaire, irrespective of whether or not they were using aids. 82 % were urinary continent. In 1997, 23 % of the patients experienced urinary incontinence and 49 % reported erectile dysfunction. In 1999 the corresponding results were 9 % and 38 %. Patients with urinary incontinence, pT3 tumour, positive tumour margins, or elevated postoperative serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) reported reduced quality of life. 94 % of the patients reported that they would probably have chosen the same treatment again.

Patients operated in 1999 reported a statistically significant better quality of life compared to patients operated in 1997. This is an indication of the importance of training and experience with radical retropubic prostatectomy. Reduced quality of life is related to urinary incontinence and the presence of pT3 tumour, positive tumour margins and serum prostate-specific antigen.