RADICAL RETROPUBIC PROSTATECTOMY OUTCOMES AT A COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

AbstractPurpose: We reviewed a 6-year experience performing radical retropubic prostatectomy at 2 community hospitals (for-profit and not-for-profit) to assess outcomes and to compare them to the published literature reflecting outcomes from major academic hospitals.Materials and Methods: Charts of 116 patients who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy (nerve sparing in select cases) between 1990 and 1996 were reviewed for clinical and pathological outcomes as well as hospital charges. Subjective patient reports of urinary continence, potency and satisfaction were evaluated postoperatively.Results: Average patient age was 66.6 years and average preoperative prostate specific antigen level was 9.6 ng./ml. Of the patients 43% had T1c disease, 63% pT2 and 37% pT3. Positive margins were present in 17.2% of the specimens and 66% of the patients had Gleason scores of 5 and 6. No deaths occurred. Major complications occurred in 5.4% of patients and included deep venous thrombosis (1.8%), pulmonary embolism ...