[Early urethral catheter removal after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy]

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Surgical Oncology
• Robotic Surgery

Background:

• Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) is a standard treatment for localized prostate cancer.
• Posterior reconstruction of urethrovesical anastomosis (UVA) is crucial for early urinary continence recovery post-RARP.
• Optimizing UVA techniques may further enhance functional outcomes after RARP.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare functional outcomes of early catheter removal (3 days) versus standard (7 days) after RARP.
• To evaluate a modified posterior reconstruction technique for UVA in RARP.
• To assess spontaneous voiding, urine leakage, and incontinence rates following early catheter removal.

Main Methods:

• Randomized controlled trial comparing early (3-day) vs. standard (7-day) catheter removal post-RARP.
• 15 patients in each group (early removal and standard control).
• Functional outcomes assessed via spontaneous voiding, retrograde cystography, Clavien-Dindo complications, and ICIQ-UI SF incontinence scores.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in baseline or perioperative parameters between groups.
• No acute urinary retention or paravesical urine leakage observed in either group.
• International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI SF) scores showed no significant differences at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months.

Conclusions:

• Modified posterior reconstruction enables 3-day catheter removal post-RARP.
• Early catheter removal (3 days) is safe and does not negatively impact UVA quality or continence recovery.
• Further long-term follow-up studies are warranted to confirm sustained outcomes.