From September 1999 to February 2006, men undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP) by one surgeon were given the UCLA Prostate Cancer Index to complete preop, and then annually thereafter to 2 years. We have 285 men who have completed the pre-op and year 1 and /or year 2 surveys. Continence was defined as requiring “no pads” on the survey. Analysis was based on attempted nerve sparing status of the surgery; none, unilateral, or bilateral. Subgroup analysis was then performed on successful nerve sparing surgery, defined as men responding they have an erection “firm enough for intercourse.”
Overall continence rates were 81 % at year 1 and 87 % at year 2. Attempted nerve sparing surgery, or successful nerve sparing surgery, did not result in better rates of continence than non-nerve sparing surgery.
Using a validated survey with anonymous data collection, we found no improvement in continence, defined as pad-free, with attempted or successful nerve sparing RP. Based on our study, the goal of improving urinary outcomes should not be used as a justification for a nerve sparing template at radical prostatectomy.