Intraoperative and perioperative morbidity of contemporary radical retropubic prostatectomy in a consecutive series of 1243 patients: results of a single center between 1999 and 2002.
OBJECTIVE
To up date counselling of patients in an experienced center, we assessed intraoperative and perioperative complications in a consecutive series of contemporary radical retropubic prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer.


METHODS
In a prospective study, we analyzed all intraoperative and perioperative complications within 30 days in a consecutive series of 1243 patients undergoing radical prostatectomy between January 1999 and February 2002. All adverse events were graduated in major and minor complications by their severity and sequel.


RESULTS
There were no deaths. Overall, 996 patients (80.2%) were not affected by any complication. Major complications were observed in 50 patients (4.0%), minor complications in 197 (15.8%). Pelvic lymphadenectomy was performed in 861 (69.3%) patients. This procedure was associated with a significantly higher rate of lymphoceles requiring a drainage, 4.2% versus 0.3% (p<0.006) and a higher rate of deep venous thrombosis, 1.4% versus 0.5% (p<0.2), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Radical retropubic prostatectomy is a safe surgical procedure. Postoperatively the majority of our patients was not compromised by any complication within 30 days. Furthermore, due to a higher rate of lymphoceles and thromboembolic events the indication for pelvic lymphadenectomy should be considered carefully.
Augustin
Herbert
H
Department of Urology, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, Hamburg D-20246, Germany.
Hammerer
Peter
P
Graefen
Markus
M
Palisaar
Jüri
J
Noldus
Joachim
J
Fernandez
Salvador
S
Huland
Hartwig
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome