Association Between Preoperative Penile Circumference and Urinary Function After Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Andrology
• Surgical Oncology

Background:

• Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) is a common treatment for prostate cancer.
• Postoperative urinary and sexual function are significant concerns for patients undergoing RARP.
• Predictive markers for functional outcomes after RARP are valuable for patient counseling and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between preoperative penile dimensions (length, circumference) and testis size with postoperative urinary and sexual function following RARP.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 197 Japanese patients undergoing RARP.
• Patients categorized by median preoperative penile length, circumference, and testis size.
• Urinary and sexual function assessed using validated questionnaires (EPIC, IPSS, IIEF-5) preoperatively and up to 12 months postoperatively.

Main Results:

• Preoperative penile circumference was significantly associated with better postoperative urinary function (fewer pads, improved EPIC and IPSS scores).
• Preoperative penile length and testis size showed no significant association with postoperative urinary function.
• Trends favored better sexual function in patients with larger preoperative penile circumference and length, but significant differences were limited.

Conclusions:

• Preoperative penile circumference is a significant predictor of urinary function after RARP.
• Penile circumference may serve as a practical clinical marker for predicting urinary outcomes.
• The association between preoperative penile size and sexual function after RARP is minimal.