Complications were analysed in a contemporary series of the first 54 retropubic radical prostatectomies performed for carcinoma of the prostate at our Institution. The postoperative morbidity was notable; three life threatening and ten minor complications occurred within the first 30 postoperative days. Thus, more than 1 year after the operations 7 patients had severe stress incontinence and 17 noticed minor degree of incontinence. Twenty-six per cent of the patients who claimed to be potent before surgery maintained potency. The operative time averaged 195 min and the demand for transfusions averaged 2.98 units per patient. Our experience in this early series of radical prostatectomy is that the operation cannot be done without notable postoperative morbidity.