Single Running Suture versus Single-Knot Running Suture for Vesicourethral Anastomosis in Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy: A Prospective Randomised Comparative Study.

AIM: To investigate the safety, surgical efficiency and patients' ability to recover from urinary continence as a result of a single absorbable running suture versus single-knot running suture for vesicourethral anastomosis (VUA) during laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP).

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

In a prospective randomised study, we evaluated 162 consecutive patients who underwent LRP with VUA using the single running suture technique or the single-knot running suture technique. Perioperative patients' characteristics, morbidity and urinary continence were analysed.

RESULTS

The baseline characteristics were similar between the 2 groups. The single running suture technique was related to decreased anastomotic and total operative times compared with the Van Velthoven technique (13.17 ± 5.74 min vs. 28.49 ± 6.45 min, p = 0.0001, and 174.41 ± 62.97 min and 184.94 ± 46.16 min, p = 0.04, respectively). Overall, urinary continence rates at 3, 6 and 12 months in groups 1 and 2 were 49.4 and 69.1%, 81.5 and 86.4%, and 91.4 and 93.8%, respectively (all with p > 0.05 except the follow-up assessment at 3 months following surgery, p = 0.011).

CONCLUSIONS

Both methods ensure satisfactory rates of urinary leakage and bladder neck stricture, as well as continence after LRP. However, since the single running suture VUA technique is easier to perform, and the mean anastomosis time of the single running suture VUA technique is shorter than that of the Van Velthoven technique, it appears, therefore, preferable.