Continence urinaire après prostatectomie radicale : comparaison des voies rétropubienne, laparoscopique et robot-assistée

Abstract Aim To compare urinary continence following radical prostatectomy (RP) between open (Op), laparoscopic (Lap), and robotic (Ro) approaches. Method Urinary continence of the first 59 patients operated by Ro RP between May 2008 and August 2009 was evaluated by self-questionnaires. Results were compared to those obtained in 2006 using the same questionnaire from patients operated by Lap RP or Op RP in the same institution. Patients treated by radiotherapy were excluded from the analysis. Results Fifty-one of the 59 operated by RP Ro answered the questionnaire. Op and Lap groups included 82 and 100 patients respectively. No significant difference was observed between the three groups in terms of age, body mass index, preoperative PSA, prostate gland weight, and TNM stage on pathology. Overall incontinence rate was 8%, 32%, and 21% for Ro, Lap, and Op RP, respectively. Median duration to recover continence after surgery was three weeks in the Ro group, versus eight weeks in the two other groups. Conclusion In our experience, patients operated by a Ro approach had a lower risk of incontinence and a shorter duration to recover continence compared to those operated by Op and Lap RP. Our previous experience of laparoscopy might explain these findings. Evaluation of overall functional and oncological results is necessary before concluding to a possible superiority of Ro RP.