Retzius-sparing radical prostatectomy at The Harley Street Clinic

During a conventional radical prostatectomy, the cave of Retzius has to be removed in order to gain access to the prostate. The fat and connective tissue that lie within it are removed, the puboprostatic ligaments are cut and a certain amount of the arterial inflow of blood into the penis is interrupted. These steps contribute significantly to post-prostatectomy incontinence and impotence.

However, Retzius-sparing radical prostatectomy is a technique that approaches the prostate from below, rather than from above the bladder. The technique of re-joining the bladder and urethra after the prostate has been removed is also different from conventional prostatectomy, in that the front aspect of the join has to be completed before the back wall, which is the reverse of the conventional procedure.