Effects of new 1-step posterior reconstruction method on recovery of continence after robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy: results of a prospective, single-blind, parallel group, randomized, controlled trial

Purpose: We devised a 1-step posterior reconstruction technique that opposes the median dorsal raphe only to the posterior counterpart of the detrusor apron rather than to Denonvilliers' fascia. In a retrospective study we previously found that during robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy this new technique could significantly shorten continence recovery time. We designed a prospective clinical trial to confirm this.

Materials and methods: We designed a single-blind, parallel group, randomized, controlled trial. A total of 100 men who underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy performed by a single surgeon at a referral center were randomly allocated to the intervention group (50) or the control group (50) from October 2012 through August 2013. The intervention group underwent posterior reconstruction with this new technique before vesicourethral anastomosis. All patients in each group were treated with anterior reconstruction. The study primary end point was time to continence recovery, defined as no pad use. Secondary outcomes were time to recovery of social continence, defined as 0 or 1 pad used per day.

Results: One control was excluded from analysis due to open conversion and 4 patients were excluded since they withdrew from participation. Median time to complete continence recovery did not differ significantly between the intervention and control groups (106 and 119 days, respectively, p = 0.890). However, time to social continence recovery was significantly shorter in the intervention group than in controls (median 18 vs 30 days, p = 0.024).

Conclusions: One-step posterior reconstruction did not significantly shorten time to complete continence recovery. However, it seemed to have a marginal benefit on early recovery of social continence.