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Updated: May 1, 2026
Retzius-Sparing Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy
Published on: May 19, 2022
Bladder neck contracture-incidence and management following contemporary robot assisted radical prostatectomy
Jaspreet Singh Parihar1, Yun-Sok Ha2, Isaac Yi Kim1
1Section of Urologic Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
Purpose:
Bladder neck contracture (BNC) is a well-recognized complication following robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) for treatment of localized prostate cancer with a reported incidence of up to 1.4%. In this series, we report our institutional experience and management results.
Methods:
A prospectively collected database of patients who underwent RARP by a single surgeon from 2006 to 2012 was reviewed. Watertight bladder neck to urethral anastomosis was performed over 18-French foley catheter. BNC was diagnosed by flexible cystoscopy in patients who developed symptoms of bladder outlet obstruction. Subsequently, these patients underwent cold knife bladder neck incisions. Patients then followed a strict self regimen of clean intermittent catheterization (CIC). We identify the patient demographics, incidence of BNC, associated risk factors and success of subsequent management.
Results:
Total of 930 patients who underwent RARP for localized prostate cancer was identified. BNC was identified in 15 patients, 1.6% incidence. Mean patient age and preoperative prostate-specific antigen was 58.8 years old and 7.83 ng/mL (range, 2.5-14.55 ng/mL) respectively. Mean estimated blood loss was 361±193 mL (range, 50-650 mL). Follow-up was mean of 23.4 months. Average time to BNC diagnosis was 5.5 months. In three patients, a foreign body was identified at bladder neck. On multivariate analysis, estimated blood loss was significantly associated with development of BNC. All patients underwent cystoscopy and bladder neck incision with a 3-month CIC regimen. Out of 15 index patients, none had a BNC recurrence over the follow-up period.
Conclusions:
BNC was identified in 1.6% of patients in our series following RARP. Intraoperative blood loss was a significant risk factor for BNC. In 20% of BNC patients a migrated foreign body was noted at vesicourethral anastomosis. Primary management of patients with BNC following RARP should be bladder neck incision and self CIC regimen.
