[Stenosis of the new bladder neck, a complication of radical prostatectomy: personal experience].
BACKGROUND
To describe personal experience on stenosis of the new bladder neck, a complication of radical prostatectomy. After a review of the literature, guidelines are proposed to avoid this complication, both from a prophylactic and treatment point of view.


METHODS
Between 1992 and 2000, 54 patients were submitted to radical prostatectomy, 18 of whom later presented stenosis in the new bladder neck. Mean age of patients was 65.6 years (range 55-76). According to TNM classification, 46 patients (85%) were stage pT2N0M0 and eight patients (15%) stage pT3N0M0, no significant correlation being found with PSA values. All patients were submitted to pre- and postmicturition retrograde cystourethrography, four weeks after surgery; patients presenting dysuric symptoms also underwent further retrograde cystourethrography and flowmeter examinations.


RESULTS
Of the 54 patients, 18 (33%) presented stenosis of the new bladder neck as a complication of radical prostatectomy. Of these 18 patients, 12 (22%) presented acute dysuria symptoms. In 14 cases, one-two cycles of urethral dilation were sufficient to improve flowmeter values. In the four remaining cases showing no improvement following urethral dilations, endoscopic resection was necessary in two and urethrotomy according to Sachse in the other two.


CONCLUSIONS
Stenosis of the anastomosis of the new bladder neck is a complication of radical prostatectomy occurring within six months of surgery, no correlation being found with tumour stage, recurrence, or duration of catheter in situ. Of the 18 patients presenting stenosis in the series described, in 78%, cycles of urethral dilation were sufficient to successfully resolve the complication thus avoiding further surgery, which, on the other hand, was necessary in four patients, two submitted to endoscopic resection of the stenosis and the other two to incision according to Sachse.
Fischetti
G
G
Policlinico Umberto I, Dipartimento di Urologia U. Bracci, Università degli Studi di Roma La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
Mariani
S
S
De Martino
P
P
Musy
M
M
Valentini
M A
MA
Leone
P
P
Morello
P
P
Cuzari
S
S
D000368:Aged; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001748:Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction / Q000209:etiology*