Predictors of urinary outcomes following robotic‐assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy

INTRODUCTION: Incontinence and urgency are common after prostatectomy. The University of Virginia prostatectomy functional outcomes program (PFOP) was developed to comprehensively assess and optimise continence outcomes following robotic‐assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP). Patients are prospectively evaluated by a Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery specialist. This study assessed for predictors of 3‐ and 6‐month stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and urgency symptom outcomes following RALP. METHODS: We performed a post hoc review of patients from our PFOP receiving a minimum of 6‐month follow‐up. Urinary symptoms are prospectively assessed using the validated International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire‐Male Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (ICIQ‐MLUTS) questionnaire and daily pad use (pads per day [PPD]). Primary study outcomes included ICIQ‐MLUTS SUI and urgency domain scores and PPD. Multivariable linear regression was performed to identify variables associated with outcomes at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Variables included patient, oncologic and surgical factors. Each variable was run in a separate model with pelvic floor muscle therapy and surgeon to reduce confounding and prevent overfitting. RESULTS: Forty men were included. In assessment of ICIQ‐MLUTS SUI domain score, at 3 months, body mass index (BMI) was associated with worse scores, and at 6 months, BMI, hypertension and estimated blood loss (EBL) were associated with worse scores, whereas bilateral nerve‐sparing technique was associated with better scores. For ICIQ‐MLUTS Urgency domain score, at 3 months, preoperative use of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) medication was associated with better scores. No covariates predicted 6‐month ICIQ‐MLUTS Urgency domain scores. For PPD use, at both 3 and 6 months, BMI was a positive predictor, while preoperative use of BPH medication was a negative predictor. CONCLUSION: Increased BMI, EBL and hypertension are associated with worsened SUI outcomes following RALP, whereas bilateral nerve‐sparing technique and preoperative BPH medication are associated with improved SUI outcomes. These data may inform patient counselling and help identify patients who may benefit from closer surveillance and earlier anti‐incontinence intervention.