RADICAL RETROPUBIC PROSTATECTOMY - INITIAL EXPERIENCE

years) were treated by radical retropubic prostatectomy. The retrospective study included an analysis of the significant data in the case records, surgical protocols and outpatient postoper ative check-ups, special attention being given to indications, intra- and early postoperative complications (within 30 days) and hospital stay. Results: Preoperatively, prostate specific antigen (PSA) ranged between 4.5 and 27.2 ng/ml (mean 9.5 ng/ml), and Gleason score was 5 in one patient, 6 in 20, and 7 in 2 patients. Clinical stage was T1 in 5 patients (21.7%), T2 in 16 (69.6%) and T3 in 2 (8.7%). Mean intraoperative blood loss was 1214 ml (range 400-2500 ml), and 17 patients received blood transfusions. Postoperative complications included acute renal failure and extravasation of contrast medium during retrograde cystography in 3 cases each, urinary infection in 4 patients and wound dehiscence in 1 case. The average postoperative ho spital stay was 19.57 days (range 13-43). Conclusions: Radical retropubic prostatectomy is a safe technique, involving a reduced risk of complications. For most patients with localized prostate cancer, radical prostatectomy is the best treatment option. Keywords: PROSTATE CANCER, RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY, COMPLICATIONS. Of the therapeutic options in localized prostate cancer (PC), radical retropubic prostatectomy gives patients the best chance of survival. However, despite improvement in surgical technique (the socalled anatomic variation or with neurovascular bandelet preservation), radical retropubic prostatectomy is associated with the risk of severe complications (bleeding, urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction). The aim of this study was to evaluate the experience with these first cases of radical retropubic prostatectomy and to use it in patient counseling and optimizing therapeutic decision.