Examination of necessity for pelvic drain placement after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy

Abstract

Background/Aim: Pelvic drain (PD) placement is commonly performed after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP), but the need for PD placement is unclear. This study aimed to assess the need for PD placement after RARP. Patients and Methods: This retrospective study analysed the effect of PD placement on postoperative complications in patients who underwent RARP between 2009 and 2018. All patients prior to October 1, 2016 had a PD placed; those after did not. Results: Of the 308 study patients, 231 received a PD (PD group) and 77 did not (ND group). The incidence of ileus, urinary tract infection and anastomotic leak did not differ significantly between the groups; nor did the incidence of asymptomatic and symptomatic lymphocele at 2 weeks and 1 year after surgery. Multivariate analysis showed that lymph node dissection is a predictor of asymptomatic lymphocele development two weeks after surgery. Conclusion: PD placement is not necessary after RARP.