Risk factors of perioperative complications in patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy: A ten-year experience

Radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) has been one of the most effective treatments for prostate cancer. This study is designed to identify the related predictive risk factors for complications in patients following RRP. Between 2000 and 2012 in Department of Urology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 421 cases undergoing RRP for localized prostate cancer by one surgeon were included in this retrospective analysis. We reviewed various risk factors that were correlated with perioperative complications, including patient characteristics [age, body mass index (BMI), co-morbidities], clinical findings (preoperative PSA level, Gleason score, clinical stage, pathological grade), and surgeon’s own clinical practice. Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) was used to explain comorbidities. The total rate of perioperative complications was 23.2% (98/421). There were 45/421 (10.7%), 28/421 (6.6%), 24/421 (5.7%) and 1/421 (0.2%) in grade I, II, III, IV respectively, and 323/421 (76.8%) cases had none of these complications. Statistical analysis of multiple potential risk factors revealed that BMI >30 (P=0.014), Charlson score ≥1 (P<0.001) and surgical experience (P=0.0252) were predictors of perioperative complications. Age, PSA level, Gleason score, TNM stage, operation time, blood loss, and blood transfusion were not correlated with perioperative complications (P>0.05). It was concluded that patients’ own factors and surgeons’ technical factors are related with an increased risk of development of perioperative complications following radical prostatectomy. Knowing these predictors can both favor risk stratification of patients undergoing RRP and help surgeons make treatment decisions.