Early experience with Walsh technique of radical retropubic prostatectomy.

We analyzed the operative experience and postoperative and late complications of pelvic lymphadenectomy and radical retropubic prostatectomy in 27 consecutive cases in which the modifications of prostatectomy described by Walsh were employed, and compared the results with those of 29 cases performed in the preceding three years when the Campbell technique of prostatectomy was employed. The mean operative time, mean blood loss, and incidences of early postoperative complications and incontinence were less for patients treated with the Walsh technique than with the Campbell technique. After surgery 85 per cent of evaluable patients remained potent with the Walsh technique compared with 16 per cent of patients treated with the Campbell technique. Although other factors besides operative approach may have biased our results, we are persuaded that the innovations of radical retropubic prostatectomy detailed by Walsh constitute important advances in surgical technique, and we now use this procedure in all suitable patients electing treatment by radical prostatectomy for localized prostatic cancer.