Long-term followup of incontinence and obstruction after salvage cryosurgical ablation of the prostate: results in 143 patients.

PURPOSE: We report long-term followup of patients with incontinence and obstruction after salvage cryosurgical ablation of the prostate.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the records of 143 patients who underwent cryosurgical ablation of the prostate for treatment failure after radiation therapy. Data were collected by telephone interview with each patient and chart review. Median followup was 27 months (range 12 to 42).

RESULTS: Of 107 patients who underwent cryosurgical ablation of the prostate using a commercially available urethral warmer 15 (14%) had significant obstruction or retention that required transurethral resection of the prostate in 10, of whom 6 became incontinent. Urinary incontinence occurred in 45 patients (42%) and resolved in 21 (47%), for an overall 28% long-term incontinence rate. Of 28 patients who underwent cryosurgical ablation of the prostate using an alternative urethral warmer 13 (46%) had incontinence and 15 (54%) had significant obstruction or retention. Resolution was rare and 89% of the patients are currently incontinent. Eight patients underwent 2 separate cryosurgical ablations with an 88% incontinence rate (43% overall). The double freezing technique did not increase postoperative obstruction or incontinence.

CONCLUSIONS: Incontinence and urinary retention rates are increased in patients undergoing cryosurgical ablation of the prostate after failure of radiation therapy but spontaneous resolution occurs in half of the patients within 1 year if an effective urethral warmer is used. Incontinence treatments should be delayed until after this period. Postoperative incontinence and obstruction rates are significantly greater when an effective urethral warmer is not used and spontaneous resolution is rare.