[Technique of nerve-sparing radical retropubic prostatectomy]

Open radical retropubic prostatectomy is the most popular operative technique for the treatment of clinically localized prostate cancer. Key elements to achieve convincing functional results are a sphincter-preserving ligation of the distal part of Santorini's plexus and the subtle preparation of the neurovascular bundle. This article gives a detailed description of our operative technique. Furthermore, a strategy for patient selection and tumor selection for the indication of a nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy is suggested.