Objectives: To examine the use of radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) in a large population-based study.
Methods: Identification of all RRPs performed in the province of Quebec between the years 1988 and 1993 was accomplished by relying on the Quebec Healthcare Plan Database.
Results: Overall, 2861 RRPs have been performed during the study period. On average, 80% of surgeries have been performed by urologists using this surgery 12 times or less annually. Of all surgeries, 420 (15%) RRPs have been performed in individuals 71 years of age or older.
Conclusions: Each year, most RRPs (80%) in this population-based study were performed by urologists performing this procedure 12 times or less annually. A substantial proportion (15%) of RRPs have been performed in men 71 years of age or older, in whom the detriments of radical surgery may outweigh its benefits. These findings could potentially contribute to suboptimal outcomes when radical prostatectomy is compared with alternative treatment modalities.