Urinary incontinence after robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy

Urinary incontinence following radical prostatectomy continues to be a significant problem despite improving surgical techniques. Robotic surgical techniques have the potential to improve urinary outcome measurements even more than their open predecessors. Improved visualization and precision of dissection with robotic technology offer a truly anatomic approach. The main purpose of this chapter is to summarize the status of urinary outcomes following robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy as well as to discuss the most current therapies used in the treatment of post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence. We also discuss the etiology of post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence, contributing risk factors, and the evaluation for incontinence as they are intimately related to prostatic surgical technique and incontinence interventions.