Factors influencing urinary incontinence after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy

Abstract

Regarding the management of prostate cancer, radical prostatectomy with subsequent urethral bladder anastomosis is one of the most effective options in terms of results according to the type and stage of the tumor. It has potential short- and long-term adverse events and some of them can have important consequences on a man’s quality of life, such as urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. The advent of new mini-invasive techniques, and in particular robotic surgery, has made it possible to reduce these side effects. In this mininarrative review we discuss some of the most important factors that influence the urinary continence functional results and that Robot-assisted Radical prostatectomy has improved directly or indirectly by allowing to perform techniques with great finesse and precision.

Keywords: Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy, urinary incontinence, urethral-bladder anastomosis, anterior and posterior reconstructions, lateral approach