Management of urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy.

Overview

In the year following a radical prostatectomy, most men recover from any initial urinary incontinence. Nonetheless, incontinence greatly affects a man's quality of life during that time, as it does for those who have persistent incontinence thereafter. Urological assessment should be thorough in order to ensure that no treatable etiology exists aside from stress incontinence. Conservative measures can then be applied from the earliest stages, and offer benefit for those with mild to moderate symptoms. Failing this, a wide variety of surgical options can be considered. For effective outcomes, a clinician must ensure that surgical decision-making is based on current evidence and patient preference, and that it considers possible morbidities.