Predictive factors of immediate continence after conventional robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: a single-institution retrospective study.

Background: To assess the predictive factors of immediate urinary continence after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

Methods: This study included 282 patients who underwent conventional robot-assisted radical prostatectomy at our institution from April 2019 to March 2024. The primary outcome was immediate urinary continence, defined as the absence of urine leakage immediately after urinary catheter removal on postoperative day 6 or 7. In addition, the immediate urine loss rate, defined as the 24-h urine loss volume divided by the total urine volume after catheter removal, was calculated. The multivariable logistic model was used to assess the possible predictive factors of immediate continence (urine loss rate of 0%). The factors included age, body mass index, Charlson Comorbidity Index, pre-existing lower urinary tract symptoms, presence of an inguinal hernia, prostate volume, membranous urethral length, stratified cancer risk, surgeon's experience, and nerve-sparing procedure. In addition, a multiple linear regression model was established to investigate the associations of the same predictors with immediate urine loss rate (%). We also presented our techniques to achieve immediate continence.

Results: The patients' median age was 70 (interquartile range: 63.0-73.0) years. Approximately 39% (n = 111) of patients presented with immediate continence. Age, inguinal hernia, membranous urethral length, and low risk for prostate cancer were associated with immediate continence. These were also statistically significant predictors of immediate urine loss rate.

Conclusion: Our study identified factors predicting immediate urinary continence after conventional robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. This information is potentially valuable for preoperative counseling in patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.