Mucosal coaptation technique for early urinary continence after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: a comparative...

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Surgical Innovation
• Oncology

Background:

• Urinary incontinence is a common and distressing complication following radical prostatectomy.
• Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) is a standard procedure, but post-operative continence remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a novel urethral and urinary bladder mucosa coaptation technique (Santosh-PGI) for achieving early continence after RARP.
• To compare this technique against the standard RARP procedure.

Main Methods:

• A prospective comparative study involving 40 patients undergoing RARP.
• Patients were divided into two groups: one with mucosal coaptation sutures and a control group.
• Both groups underwent standard vesico-urethral anastomosis; catheter removal was on day 10, with follow-up at 1, 30, and 90 days post-removal.

Main Results:

• At catheter removal, 75% of patients with mucosal coaptation were continent versus 50% in the standard group (p=0.264).
• Continence rates at 90 days were 95% for mucosal coaptation versus 80% for the standard technique (p=0.078).
• Fewer patients in the mucosal coaptation group reported bothersome incontinence at 90 days.

Conclusions:

• Urethral and urinary bladder mucosal coaptation is a simple and innovative technique.
• This method demonstrates potential for improving early urinary continence after RARP.