Prediction of urinary continence following radical prostatectomy.

The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of incontinence after radical prostatectomy and to identify the various factors that can predict urinary continence after radical prostatectomy. Urinary continence following a radical prostatectomy was evaluated in 175 consecutive patients who underwent surgery. Immediately after catheter withdrawal, on the 15th postoperative day, 66% of the patients were incontinent. Varying degrees of incontinence persisted in 53% of the cohort at 1 month postoperatively. Thirty-three, 12, 8 and 2% of the patients remained incontinent at respectively 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of follow-up. A number of possible pre- and peroperative factors which might predict the continence status were examined are related to it at subsequent intervals after the surgical intervention. Preservation of the neurovascular bundles, prior transurethral resection of the prostate, preoperative micturition disorders and age were significant contributors in the prediction of urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy.