title: Anterior bladder neck tube reconstruction at radical prostatectomy preserves functional urethral length--a comparative urodynamic study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To characterize the continence mechanism of anterior bladder neck tube reconstruction at the time of radical prostatectomy using urodynamic evaluation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective pre- and post-operative urodynamic profiles were performed in patients receiving conventional posterior 'racket handle' closures (control group--eight patients) and those receiving anterior bladder neck tube reconstruction at radical prostatectomy (study group--nine patients). Bladder neck tube reconstruction was performed by constructing 2 cm anterior bladder neck tubes over 22 F catheters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significantly longer post-operative functional urethral length was demonstrated using urodynamic assessment in patients receiving an anterior bladder neck tube closure (4.6 vs 3.4 cm; P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The anterior bladder neck tube reconstruction may promote urinary continence in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy by preservation of functional urethral length.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University of California, School of Medicine, San Francisco, USA.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Connolly
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Presti
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Carroll
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000379:methods*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014521:Urethra / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000601:surgery*; D014546:Urinary Catheterization; D014563:Urodynamics