Side-fenestrated catheter decreases leakage at the urethrovesical anastomosis after robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy

Objective. The aim of this study was to analyse whether a side-fenestrated urinary catheter can decrease the frequency of anastomotic leakage after robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP). Material and methods. Two-hundred and fifty patients with localized prostate cancer undergoing RALP were randomized into standard and side-fenestrated catheter groups in a prospective randomized study. The catheter was fenestrated at the site of the anastomosis to improve drainage. A cystogram was taken at 7 +/- 2 days postoperatively to verify the watertightness of the anastomosis. The patients were monitored for 3 months. Results. The study included 106 patients with the standard and 108 patients with the fenestrated catheter. Leakage at the urethrovesical anastomosis was found in 13/106 (12.3%) of the standard and 5/108 (4.6%) of the side-fenestrated catheter patients (p = 0.044). Discomfort induced by the catheter and urinary leakage beside the catheter did not differ between the groups. The clinical and pathological characteristics and complications were equal between the groups. Conclusions. The side-fenestrated catheter decreased leakage rates at the urethrovesical anastomosis after RALP.