The impact of anterior urethropexy during robotic prostatectomy on urinary and sexual outcomes.
OBJECTIVES
We determined the effect of an anterior urethropexy (AU) stitch on postoperative urinary continence, irritative urinary symptoms, and sexual function after robotic radical prostatectomy (RP).


METHODS
Consecutive patients undergoing robotic RP for prostate cancer were prospectively evaluated. The Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC) questionnaire was administered pre- and postoperatively to all patients. Patients were then grouped by AU status. A linear mixed model was used to compare the rate of recovery in incontinence (UIN), irritative (UIR), and sexual domain scores between the two groups. A t-test was used to compare UIN, UIR, and sexual domain scores at specific time points.


RESULTS
A total of 229 patients underwent robotic RP and filled out a preoperative and at least one postoperative EPIC questionnaire. In this population, 87 did have and 142 did not have an AU performed. The mean EPIC-UIN score at 3 months was 68 in the AU group and 58 in the non-AU group (p = 0.015). Comparison of all other time points and overall urinary scores revealed no other statistically significant differences after surgery. Sexual domain scores were also improved at 3 months in the AU group (p = 0.002).


CONCLUSIONS
AU during robotic RP leads to improved urinary continence and sexual functioning at 3 months of follow-up. An earlier return to continence may facilitate an earlier return to sexual activity. AU may offer a short-term quality-of-life advantage for patients undergoing robotic RP.