Urinary continence following radical retropubic prostatectomy.

Between 1983 and 1989, 484 men (46-82 years old) underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy for prostate cancer. Six months after surgery, 434 patients (90%) achieved complete urinary control; stress incontinence was present in 50 patients (10%) and no patient was totally incontinent. Of the 398 patients who were followed up for more than 1 year, 377 (95%) achieved complete urinary control and 21 (5% experienced stress incontinence. Prior open prostatectomy or transurethral resection of the prostate had no influence on the return of urinary control