Outcomes after radical retropubic prostatectomy.

Objectives: To determine whether urinary incontinence after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) for prostate cancer is improved by the preservation of the puboprostatic ligaments or bladder neck; whether impotency is reduced by the preservation of the neurovascular bundles; and whether positive surgical margins are a risk with more precise bladder neck and apical dissection.

Methods: RRP was performed sequentially in three groups using tennis racquet reconstruction, bladder neck preservation, or bladder neck and puboprostatic ligament preservation, and continence and surgical margin status were assessed. Also, recovery of potency and surgical margin status were evaluated when both, one, or no neurovascular bundles were preserved.