Technical nuances and surgical results of radical retropubic prostatectomy in 150 patients

We reviewed the surgical results of radical retropubic prostatectomy in 150 patients, of whom 37 had undergone transurethral resection of the prostate. The number and type of complications in our series compared favorably to those reported in other series: only 15 of our last 100 patients had complications, most of which were minor. Incontinence occurred in 2 of our last 100 patients and there were no symptomatic urethral strictures. Complications were similar between patients who had and those who had not undergone transurethral resection of the prostate. Several technical considerations that contribute to these results are discussed, especially the use of perineal pressure to facilitate hemostasis and the technique of vesicourethral anastomosis. Radical retropubic prostatectomy is a relatively well tolerated procedure with low morbidity.