Acute complications after radical retropubic prostatectomy

Objectives: To assess the rate of acute complications after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) using contemporary surgical techniques and perioperative care. Materials and Methods: We reviewed the records of 306 consecutive patients who underwent RRP with or without bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection under low-thoracic epidural anesthesia between October 1996 and April 1999. A standardized postoperative regimen was employed including early ambulation, epidural analgesia, and liquid diet the day after surgery. Results: The median length hospital stay was two nights. Acute complications occurred in 25 (8.2%) of 306 patients and were mostly minor. No thromboembolic or pulmonary events were noted, and there were no deaths. The 30-day hospital readmission rate was 0.3%. Conclusion: The contemporary regimen of perioperative management employed in this series of men undergoing RRP results in short hospital stay and a low rate of primarily minor complications.