Impact of bladder neck preservation during radical prostatectomy on continence and cancer control.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of preservation of the bladder neck and other factors on the rate of postoperative urinary continence and cancer control after radical prostatectomy.
METHODS: Prospective analysis of clinical and pathologic findings in 206 consecutive patients undergoing radical prostatectomy with a surgical technique that emphasizes preservation of periurethral supporting tissue, urethral length, incorporation of the posterior periurethral fascia into the vesicourethral anastomosis, and preservation of the bladder neck.
RESULTS: Uni- and multivariate statistical analysis demonstrated that patient age (p = 0.033) and vesical neck contracture (p = 0.047) were predictive of incomplete return of urinary control. Preservation of the vesical neck had no impact on return of continence, but was associated with a trend to a lower incidence of vesical neck contractures. A positive bladder neck margin occurred in 6.8% of surgical specimens and was associated with a higher grade, more advanced local stage, and other positive margins in all cases. The rate of local recurrence or prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-only failure was similarly independent of whether the vesical neck was preserved or resected and reconstructed.
CONCLUSIONS: Age greater than 65 and occurrence of a vesical neck contracture are adverse predictors for return of urinary continence after radical prostatectomy. Preservation of the bladder neck does not have an impact on return of urinary control but may be associated with a lower risk of vesical neck contracture. Preservation of the bladder neck does not compromise cancer control as assessed by local or PSA-only failure rates.