Impact of a modified apical dissection during radical retropubic prostatectomy on the occurrence of positive surgical margins: a comparative study in 212 patients.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the impact of a modified technique of apical dissection during radical retropubic prostatectomy on the occurrence of positive surgical margins (PSMs).


METHODS
Between 1992 and 1998, 212 nonconsecutive patients with localized prostate cancer (57 T1, 155 T2) underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy and were divided into two groups: group 1, 85 patients who underwent surgery before January 1994; and group 2, 127 patients who underwent surgery with the modification of the apical dissection after January 1994. The modified technique consisted of a wide excision of periprostatic soft tissue at the apex, including the bilateral neurovascular bundles. The clinical data (age, prostate-specific antigen, clinical staging) and pathologic findings (pathologic staging, Gleason score, PSM rate) of the two groups were compared.


RESULTS
No significant difference was found between the two groups regarding the median prostate-specific antigen level (10.8 ng/mL and 9.5 ng/mL), Gleason score, and pathologic staging. Overall, the PSM rate was 53% in group 1 and 20.5% in group 2 (P <0.001). The number of PSMs decreased 2.6-fold in group 2. The PSM rate was significantly reduced at the apex with the new technique (group 1, 33.3%; group 2, 7.7%; P = 0.008). The PSM rate expressed with the odds ratio was 4.4-fold lower for patients in group 2 than for those in group 1.


CONCLUSIONS
The modified apical dissection in radical retropubic prostatectomy significantly improves the PSM rate in patients with localized T1-T2 prostate cancer.
Soulié
M
M
Department of Urologic Surgery, Rangueil University Hospital, Toulouse, France.
Seguin
P
P
Benoit
J
J
Escourrou
G
G
Tollon
C
C
Vazzoler
N
N
Pontonnier
F
F
Plante
P
P
D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000379:methods*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*