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Updated: Jul 17, 2026
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Retzius-Sparing Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy
Published on: May 19, 2022
Routine pelvic drainage not required after open or robotic radical prostatectomy
Satish Sharma1, Hyung Lae Kim, James L Mohler
1Department of Urologic Oncology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York 14263, USA.
Urology
|February 6, 2007
Summary
Pelvic drainage can be safely omitted after radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer. This approach reduces hospital stays and costs without increasing complications, benefiting both open and robotic procedures.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Surgical Oncology
Background:
- Radical prostatectomy is a standard treatment for localized prostate cancer.
- The necessity of pelvic drainage after radical prostatectomy remains a topic of debate.
- Optimizing postoperative recovery and reducing healthcare costs are key considerations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of omitting pelvic drainage after radical prostatectomy.
- To compare complication rates and recovery between patients with and without pelvic drains.
Main Methods:
- Prospective data collection on patients undergoing radical prostatectomy.
- Criteria for drain omission included successful bladder neck preservation and a watertight urethrovesical anastomosis.
- Patients were discharged early, with routine catheter removal on postoperative day 9.
Main Results:
- Pelvic drains were omitted in 78% of 325 patients (73% open, 90% robotic).
- Continence recovery and complication rates were similar in groups with and without drains (6% vs. 11% complications).
- No significant difference in complication frequency between open and robotic procedures.
Conclusions:
- Pelvic drainage is not required when a high-quality urethrovesical anastomosis is achieved.
- Omitting pelvic drains can lead to shorter hospital stays and lower costs.
- Drainage omission is a safe and beneficial practice for both open and robotic radical prostatectomy.