Independent Predictors of Recovery of Continence 3 Months After Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate the factors that predict recovery of continence within 3 months after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The charts of 452 patients who underwent RARP with a minimum follow-up period of 3 months were collected prospectively and reviewed retrospectively. Urinary continence was determined using the self-administered validated Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite questionnaire during the routine follow-up visits. RESULTS: The overall continence rate 3 months after RARP was 79.9%. In an univariate logistic regression test, age<70 years, higher preoperative Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) score, lower clinical T(1) stage, lower biopsy and pathologic Gleason score, shorter operative time, lower estimated blood loss, smaller prostate volume (<40 cc) were associated with recovery of urinary continence within 3 months after RARP (P<0.05). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, younger age, higher SHIM score, lower clinical T(1) stage, lower body mass index (BMI), and smaller prostate volume were independent factors that predicted return of continence within 3 months after RARP (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Younger age (<70 years), higher preoperative SHIM score, clinical T(1) stage, lower BMI, and smaller prostate volume (<40 cc) independently predicted recovery of continence within 3 months after RARP.