Radical prostatectomy in Britain and Ireland at the millennium

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Abstract
Objective To report a national questionnaire survey of all consultant urologists, providing a ‘snapshot’ of attitudes, current practice and referral patterns for radical prostatectomy (RP) in Britain and Ireland at the millennium. Methods During 1999/2000 a simple questionnaire about RP was sent to the 487 urologists registered as full BAUS members. From 418 (86%) returns nine were excluded, to leave a study group of 409 urologists. Results In all, 157 (38%) consultants were undertaking RP, whilst 252 (62%) were not; 29 (18.5%) performed > 20 operations/year, 44 (28%) undertook 11–20, but 84 (53.5%) carried out ≤ 10. During the survey period, 741 (51%) RPs were conducted in teaching hospitals and 724 (49%) in district general hospitals. Of the 252 not undertaking RP, 23 (9%) stated they wished to learn the technique. Conclusions This questionnaire suggests that the number of urologists undertaking RP in the UK and Ireland has stabilized but confirms that over half perform ≤ 10/year; outcome data are now required. Any change towards concentrating cases will have significant consequences for patient distribution and resources.