A Comparison of the Morbidity Associated with Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy with and without Pubectomy

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Abstract
Radical retropubic prostatectomy with bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy for prostatic carcinoma was done with pubectomy in 8 patients and without pubectomy in 8 other patients. A comparison of the postoperative courses revealed excess morbidity in patients who had pubectomy, with severe protracted pelvic girdle pain in 75%, lower extremity thrombophlebitis in 37% (1 of which resulted in a nonfatal pulmonary embolus) and varying degrees of urinary incontinence persisting for 6 mo. or more in 75%. In patients who did not have a pubectomy mild transient pelvic girdle pain was noted in only 25% of cases, late lower extremity thrombophlebitis in 12% and no late urinary incontinence. Pubectomy should not be used routinely with radical retropubic prostatectomy.