Retropubic radical prostatectomy technique
The RRP was carried out in accordance with the technique described by Walsh in 1988.9 Under general intratracheal anesthesia, an 18 Fr Foley catheter was introduced and the skin, subcutaneous, and muscles were cut through the suprapubic incision. Then the endopelvic fascia was opened, the dorsal venous plexus was ligated with 0 Vicryl suture and cut. The urethra was released, suspended and cut. The prostate was released by sharp and blunt dissections from the denonvilliers fascia. Bilateral ductus deferens were clamped and cut, the right and left seminal vesicles were removed enblock with the prostate. A 22 Fr Foley catheter was introduced. VUA was performed from 4 or 6 foci with 2/0 monocryl sutures. One Jackson-pratt® drain was inserted into the surgical area, fasia was closed with 0 PDS suture, and skin with stapler, respectively. In the four focus technique, sutures were placed at the 12-, 3-, 6-, and 9-o’clock positions. In the six focus technique, sutures were placed at 12-, 2-, 4-, 6-, 8- and 10-o’clock positions. VUA techniques with four and six focus are schematized in Figure 2 .