Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 23, 2026
Retzius-Sparing Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy
Published on: May 19, 2022
Bladder Neck Contracture Following Radical Retropubic versus Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy
Benjamin L Spector1, Nathan A Brooks1, Michael E Strigenz1
1Department of Urology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA.
Introduction:
Radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) and robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) are co-standard surgical therapies for localized prostatic adenocarcinoma. These surgical modalities offer similar outcomes; however, lower rate of bladder neck contracture (BNC) is amongst the touted benefits of RALP. The differences between approaches are largely elucidated through multiple-surgeon comparisons, which can be biased by differential experience and practice patterns. We aimed to eliminate inter-surgeon bias through this single-surgeon comparison of BNC rates following RRP and RALP.
Materials And Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed all RRPs and RALPs performed by one surgeon over 4 years. We compared clinical characteristics, intraoperative and postoperative outcomes.
Results:
RRP patients had more advanced cancer and a higher biochemical recurrence rate. No significant differences were noted between groups in rates of anastomotic leakage, BNC, or 12-month postoperative pad-free continence.
Conclusion:
RRP offers similar outcomes to RALP with regard to postoperative urinary extravasation, urinary continence, and BNC.
