Comparison of Outpatient Narcotic Prescribing Patterns After Minimally Invasive Versus Retropubic and Perineal Radical Prostatectomy

Postoperatively minimally invasive radical prostatectomy required fewer narcotic refills and had lower narcotic costs while perineal radical prostatectomy required the greatest amount of narcotics. However, minimally invasive vs retropubic radical prostatectomy morphine sulfate equivalent requirements did not differ on adjusted analysis. While our findings support the purported advantage of minimally invasive radical prostatectomy of less postoperative pain, confirmatory prospective studies with objective outcomes are needed.