The University of Massachusetts technique of radical retropubic prostatectomy

A modified technique of radical retropubic prostatectomy is described which takes advantage of combining the antegrade dissection of prostate described by Skinner and the early control of prostatic vasculature as publicized by Walsh. Integration of both techniques of radical retropublic prostatectomy has resulted in improved exposure and minimal blood loss. The average blood loss with this technique was 500 ml in contrast to the average blood loss of 1100 ml while performing over 300 radical retropubic prostatectomies by the standard technique. The average operating times have been 150 minutes. Because of improved exposure and reduced blood loss, it is easy to teach this technique of radical prostatectomy to the surgeon in training (resident or the registrar) without any compromise to the primary goal of surgery which is to remove all tumour. No intra-operative complications were encountered during the performance of this modified technique of radical retropubic prostatectomy.