Selective versus Standard Ligature of the Deep Venous Complex during Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy: Effects on Continence, Blood Loss, and Margin Status

BACKGROUND: Continence after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy is critical to patients and to surgeons. In this setting, the management of deep venous complex (DVC) without involvement of the sphincter fibres could be an important step of the procedure. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of a personal selective suture of the plexus (selective ligature of the deep venous complex [SLDVC]) on continence, blood loss, and surgical margin status during laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: We planned a prospective randomised study. Sixty consecutive patients with clinically localised prostate cancer were involved in the study and were divided into two groups: group A (30 patients) underwent LRP with extraperitoneoscopic approach with standard management of DVC; group B (30 patients) underwent LRP with SLDVC. INTERVENTION: In group A, a standard ligature of DVC was performed (ligature and subsequent section); in group B, a selective ligature of DVC after its section was performed. MEASUREMENTS: Continence was evaluated during follow-up visits at catheter removal, and after 1, 3, 6, and 12 mo, perioperative variables and pathologic features of specimens were recorded. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: The two groups were comparable in terms of age, body mass index (BMI), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values, and Gleason score at biopsy. No differences were found between the two groups in terms of operative times, blood loss, catheterisation time, and postoperative stay or histologic status. As far as continence rate is concerned, a significant difference was recorded between the groups (53% in group A vs 80% in group B) after 3 mo. CONCLUSIONS: This selective ligature of the DVC after its section can contribute to early recovery of continence. Our data suggest that SLDVC compromises neither the safety of the procedure nor its oncologic effectiveness.