Pre- and Postoperative Parameters on Magnetic Resonance Imaging Predict Continence Recovery after Laparoscopic Radical prostatectomy

Abstract

Background: To evaluate the association between pre- and postoperative parameters on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and continence recovery after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP). Methods: 73 patients who underwent LRP were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic characteristics, clinicopathologic outcomes and several MRI parameters before and after surgery were evaluated. Continence was defined as no pad per day. Early continence recovery was defined as continence recovery within 3 months. Kaplan-Meier analyses and log-rank test were used to compare time to continence recovery. Cox proportional-hazards regression analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of continence recovery after LRP.Results: Patients with smaller prostatic volume, shorter intravesical prostatic protrusion length (IPPL), longer preoperative membranous urethral length (MUL), lower MUL-removal rate, triangular vesicourethral anastomosis (VUA) and neurovascular bundle sparing experienced a faster continence recovery (All, p < 0.05). Multivariate analyses revealed IPPL (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.94, p = 0.044), preoperative MUL (HR: 1.10, p = 0.032), MUL-removal rate (HR: 0.91, p = 0.007) and shape of VUA (square vs. triangle, HR: 2.30, p = 0.012) were independent predictors of continence recovery after LRP.Conclusion: IPPL, preoperative MUL, MUL-removal rate and shape of VUA were promising parameters on MRI for predicting continence recovery after LRP.