EXPERIENCE IN PERFORMING OPEN RETROPUBIC PROSTATECTOMY IN THE CLINICAL BASE OF UROLOGY REPUBLICAN CLINICAL HOSPITAL "TIMOFEI MOŞNEAGA"

Abstract

Objectives. Patients with localized prostate cancer are candidates for surgery, radiation therapy, or active surveillance. Open retropubic prostatectomy is the most common surgical treatment in the Republic of Moldova. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of open retropubic prostatectomy and to study early and long-term postoperative outcomes in patients with localized prostate cancer.

Material and methods. In the period from June 2021 to February 2023, open retropubic prostatectomy was performed in 20 patients with localized prostate cancer at the Urology Department of the “Timofei Moşneaga” Republican Clinical Hospital. The incidence of the low risk of biochemical recurrence, according to D'amico, as well as the intermediate risk, was similar, found in 40% of of cases, and the high risk was established in 4 patients (20% of cases). Extended pelvic lymphadenectomy preceded prostatectomy in 9 patients (45%).

Results. Among the intraoperative complications, there was bleeding from the veins of the Santorini plexus in 3 cases. In the postoperative period, one patient had prolonged lymphorrhea. The median number of days a patient spent in hospital after surgery was 8 days. Removal of the urethral catheter was performed on the 3-4th week. Urinary continence was restored in patients within six months after surgery.

Conclusions. Open retropubic prostatectomy as a method of surgical treatment for patients with localized prostate cancer had favorable results in terms of intraoperative mortality, recovery of urinary continence in most cases and low number of complications in the postoperative period. However, it is important to perform a long-term follow-up to further evaluate the results and evolution of the patients.