Radical prostatectomy: prospective assessment of mortality and morbidity.

Abstract

To prospectively analyse the morbidity of radical prostatectomy. Morbidity data from 188 consecutive radical prostatectomy patients were collected prospectively. Mortality, intraoperative, early postoperative and late postoperative complications were analysed. 1.5% mortality. 3.7% suffered an intraoperative complication. Early postoperative problems were common (43%). Of those with greater than 1 year follow-up, 5.9% remained with some incontinence, and a further 11 patients had artificial sphincters implanted; 32% had narrowing of the anastomosis, requiring at least 1 dilation; 43% of patients retained their potency. It is concluded that radical prostatectomy can be performed with minimal mortality and acceptable morbidity.