Augmented Bladder Neck Reconstruction for the Improvement of Urinary Function after Radical Prostatectomy
This trial studies whether an additional or “augmented” step added to routine bladder neck reconstruction surgery can improve bladder control and reduce leakage of urine after prostate surgery (radical prostatectomy). Typically, during prostate surgery, once the prostate has been taken out, the bladder neck needs to be reattached to the urethra. Once the bladder neck and urethra are connected to each other, surgeons may perform an intussusception stitch, in which the bladder neck is turned inside-out to provide additional urinary sphincter strength. This is how the “standard bladder neck reconstruction” is performed. The “augmented” approach to reconstruction involves an additional step, in which surgeons make a supportive sling out of local tissue that goes around the spot where the bladder neck and urethra meet. Augmented bladder neck reconstruction may result in early urinary function compared to standard bladder neck reconstruction.