title: Anastomotic stricture after minimally invasive radical prostatectomy: what should be expected from the Van Velthoven single-knot running suture?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Patients with localized prostate cancer (PCa) who are treated by radical prostatectomy (RP) have a good overall survival rate. Their quality of life, however, can deteriorate because of the incidence of bladder neck contracture (BNC). Our aim was to evaluate the incidence and the risk factors of BNC after minimally invasive radical prostatectomy (MIRP) with a single-knot running suture also known as the Van Velthoven technique (VVT).
  
  
  METHODS
  From 2003 to 2010, 2115 patients underwent extraperitoneal, transperitoneal, or robot-assisted RP for localized PCa. A single-knot running suture according to the VVT was performed for the vesicourethral anastomosis. Follow-up was scheduled and standardized for all patients and recorded into a prospective database. BNC was defined by a reduction of the lumen that does not allow the passage of an 18F fibroscope.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean follow-up of the patients was 43 (6-144) months. Of all, 1342, 241, and 532 had extraperitoneal, transperitoneal, and robot-assisted prostatectomy, respectively. BNC was diagnosed in 30 (1.4%) patients. Among them, 78% had the diagnosis within the first year of follow-up. Previous transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and external beam radiotherapy were independent risk factors of BNC.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  BNC incidence after MIRP using the single-knot running suture for the vesicourethral anastomosis is low. Previous TURP and external beam radiotherapy are identified as risk factors. This technique showed satisfying results regardless of the classic laparoscopic or robot-assisted approach.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Henri Mondor Hospital, Paris-Est University, Créteil, France. idir.ouzaid@free.fr
authors.forename: Idir
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ouzaid
authors.forename: Evanguelos
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Xylinas
authors.forename: Guillaume
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ploussard
authors.forename: Andras
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hoznek
authors.forename: Dimitri
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vordos
authors.forename: Claude-Clément
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Abbou
authors.forename: Alexandre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de la Taille
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Salomon
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology; D003710:Demography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011467:Prostate / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013537:Sutures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000473:pathology