Effects of nerve‐sparing procedures on bowel function after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy: A longitudinal study

Effects of nerve‐sparing procedures on bowel function after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy: A longitudinal study:

Abstract

Background

This study aimed to evaluate rectal pain and bowel function of the patients following robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).

Methods

We divided 296 patients who underwent RARP into two groups depending on the intervention: NS group (bilateral nerve‐sparing (NS), unilateral NS, bilateral partial NS) and non‐NS group (unilateral partial NS, bilateral non‐NS). Bowel function was assessed using the Extended Prostate Cancer Index Composite for 24 months after RARP.

Results

The bowel function score and rectal urgency at 1−6 months after RARP were more significantly impaired in the non‐NS group than in the NS group (p<0.05). In a multivariate analysis of factors affecting the bowel function score at 6 months after RARP, only NS procedure had a significant effect.

Conclusions

In the initial period after RARP, bowel symptoms were significantly impaired. This impairment was affected by the degree of NS. These results could guide patients in their decision to choose RARP.

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