Correlation between Bladder Neck Preservation, Positive Surgical Margins, and Biochemical Recurrence in Laparoscopic and Open Radical Prostatectomy: A Prospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Background: Bladder neck preservation (BNP) has been adopted in open (ORP), laparoscopic (LRP), and robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). However, there are concerns that this technique can compromise oncological outcome and increase positive surgical margins (PSM). The aim was to evaluate the outcome of BNP, focusing on surgical and pathological outcomes, as well as biochemical recurrence (BCR). Methods: We prospectively collected demographic and clinical data from 170 consecutive patients who underwent ORP and LRP between 2014 and 2020. ORP was performed in 63 patients, and the rest underwent LRP. BNP was performed in 85 patients. Results: PSM were found in 24.7% of patients. Of patients with BNP, 22.4% had PSM. There was no significant statistical difference between patients with or without BNP in the form of PSM. Base-positive margins were detected in 9.4% of patients with BNP and in 5.9% of patients without BNP with no statistical significance. Bioptic Gleason score, clinical stage, and preoperative PSA were statistically significantly correlated with PSM. BCR was more common in patients without BNP (23.5%) vs. non-BNP (21.2%). The only statistically significant predictor of BCR was PSM. Conclusion: This study suggests that BNP in RP is not associated with an increased level of PSM. Preoperative PSA, bioptic Gleason score, and clinical T stage of disease were identified as predictors of PSM occurrence.