Evaluation of Incontinence after Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy: Using the International Consultation on Incontinence Modular Questionnaire Short Form and Noting the Number of Safety Pads Needed by Japanese Patients.
The definition of continence after robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RARP) has not been consistently defined, with many studies only noting the amount of safety pads used. We therefore examined what definition of continence would be appropriate, employing both the International Consultation on Incontinence Modular Questionnaire Short Form (ICIQ-SF) and the number of pads used by patients. We also evaluated the relationship between the number of pads used and degree of incontinence.



Patients who underwent RARP between October 2010 and July 2014 in our department were included in the present study. All patients were evaluated by ICIQ-SF and the number of pads used 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery. Frequency of incontinence and amount of incontinence were evaluated by ICIQ-SF Questions 1 and 2 respectively at 12 months. Quality of life (QOL) was evaluated by ICIQ-SF Question 3 at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after RARP.



The overall study population was 156 patients. In Question 1, 19 patients answered that they leaked urine several times a day, but 5 patients did not use pads, and 8 patients were using only 1 pad a day. In Question 2, 8 patients answered that they leaked a moderate amount of urine, but 2 patients did not use any pads, and 3 patients used only 1 pad a day. QOL showed significant differences between using no pad, 1 pad, or ≥ 2 pads at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after RARP.



Simply noting the number of pads used by a patient is an insufficient way to evaluate incontinence after RARP. Assessment by an appropriate questionnaire is also needed.
Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago 683-8503, Japan.
Katsuya
K
Hikita
Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago 683-8503, Japan.
Masashi
M
Honda
Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago 683-8503, Japan.
Bunya
B
Kawamoto
Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago 683-8503, Japan.
Panagiota
P
Tsounapi
Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago 683-8503, Japan.
Kuniyasu
K
Muraoka
Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago 683-8503, Japan.
Takehiro
T
Sejima
Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago 683-8503, Japan.
Atsushi
A
Takenaka
International Consultation on Incontinence Modular Questionnaire Short Form; incontinence; robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy