Transperineal Ultrasound Before and After Prostatectomy: Technical Approach and Description

Abstract

This study assessed the feasibility of dynamic transperineal ultrasound (TPUS) pre/post-radical prostatectomy (RP). Ninety-eight patients were scanned pre-operatively and at four time-points post-operatively. TPUS was performed in 98 patients using an abdominal transducer at rest, during pelvic floor contraction (PFC) and Valsalva (VS) maneuver in supine and standing positions. Urodynamic evaluations included bladder neck angle at rest/PFC/VS, and degree of bladder neck movement. Pre-operative and post-operative measurements were technically feasible in >85% (supine) and >90% (standing) of patients. TPUS offers a reliable non-invasive dynamic assessment of the pelvic floor post-prostatectomy and may prove a useful adjunct for guiding exercises to preserve continence.