Abstract:

Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignancies in men, and radical prostatectomy (RP) is the primary treatment method for localized and locally advanced prostate cancer. However, due to surgical trauma, patients undergoing RP often face postoperative complications such as sexual dysfunction and urinary incontinence, leading to varying degrees of decline in quality of life. Currently, there is a lack of standardized clinical guidelines for postoperative rehabilitation in these patients. To address this issue, the present consensus was developed using evidence-based medicine approaches, including a thorough review and evaluation of relevant literature, quality grading, and evidence synthesis. An initial draft was created and subsequently refined through expert meetings, discussions and Delphi surveys. This process involved three rounds of consultations with 29 experts from 24 different hospitals across various specialties, including urology, oncology, rehabilitation medicine, nutrition and psychology. The results were systematically summarized under the guidance of the Committee of Integrated Rehabilitation for Urogenital Tumors, Chinese Anti-Cancer Association, culminating in the formulation of the “Chinese expert consensus on perioperative integrated rehabilitation for radical prostatectomy (2024 edition)”. This consensus aimed to provide standardized integrated rehabilitation recommendations for patients undergoing RP, with the goals of improving postoperative recovery efficiency and reducing the impact of both short- and long-term complications on survival and quality of life. The consensus has been registered on Practice guideline REgistration for transPAREncy (PREPARE) with the registration number PREPARE-2024CN666. The consensus covers several key areas, including comprehensive perioperative assessment, application of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) principles, management and treatment of common postoperative complications, and psychological and social support for patients. Regarding perioperative assessment, the consensus emphasizes a thorough evaluation of patients’ physical and psychological conditions before surgery, including nutritional status, pelvic floor function and psychological state, to develop individualized rehabilitation plans and optimize preoperative preparation, thereby laying a solid foundation for postoperative recovery. The application of ERAS principles includes reducing preoperative fasting and fluid restrictions, improving perioperative management, providing preoperative education, and implementing psychological interventions, all of which effectively reduce the incidence of postoperative complications and accelerate recovery. For common postoperative complications such as urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction, the consensus recommends various rehabilitation measures, including pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) and biofeedback therapy, to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. Additionally, the consensus underscores the importance of psychological and social support, advising comprehensive support for patients in the postoperative period. The publication of this consensus provides clinical practitioners with standardized guidelines for postoperative rehabilitation, which can enhance the recovery efficiency of patients undergoing RP, reduce the incidence of complications, and significantly improve the quality of life. As more clinical studies are conducted in the future, the content of this consensus will be continuously validated and refined, offering more comprehensive and personalized rehabilitation guidance for prostate cancer patients.

Key words: Prostate cancer, Radical prostatectomy, Integrated rehabilitation, Expert consensus