Corrigendum to “A standard operating technique to facilitate early return of urinary continence after robotic prostatectomy outcomes of a consensus meeting of experts with experience of over 30,000 cases” [Eur Urol Suppl 2017;16;e2301–2]

Table 1 was missing from the original publication in European Urology Supplements. This table is presented below.

Table 1.

Scores for the individual steps and the available evidence.

Rank	Statement
1	Meticulous athermal apical dissection with sparing of the sphincteric complex, without overdissection of the urethra, should be performed. The verumontanum may be considered as a limit of dissection.
2	Excessive traction on the periurethral tissues may be harmful to the neurovascular bundle and should be avoided.
3	Maximal sparing of urethral length and thickness is associated with early return of urinary continence, and should be performed when oncologically feasible.
4	The vesicourethral anastomosis should have minimal tension. This is essential in creating a watertight anastomosis, preventing urethral strictures and re-establishing the zone of coaptation in the urethra. Taking relatively deeper bites of the mucosa and smaller bites of the external urethral longitudinal fibres prevents catching the external sphincter in the anastomosis
5	Bladder neck sparing when technically and oncologically feasible should be attempted as:
	(1) It preserves the internal urethral sphincter, which increases proximal urethral resistance to urinary flow and contributes to involuntary urinary continence; and
	(2) The more congruent size may facilitate a watertight vesicourethral anastomosis, which improves urethral coaptation.
6	Nerve-sparing prostatectomy when oncologically feasible improves early continence recovery and should thus be considered even in patients with poor baseline erectile function. Nerve sparing should be performed in an atraumatic fashion. Atraumatic dissection involves avoidance of the use of thermal/electric/mechanical energy.
7	The role of aberrant vasculature such as an accessory pudendal artery (APA) for urinary continence is still unclear. However, following the principle of “Do no harm” it should be preserved whenever feasible.
8	Apical dissection should be carried out avoiding cautery or using the lowest cautery setting possible to avoid thermal injury to the sphincter complex structures.
9	Anterior and posterior reconstruction provides all-round stability and suspensory support for the urethral sphincter complex. It also prevents distraction of the anastomosis and closes the dead space, reducing the chance of expanding venous haematomas. It also prevents descent of the vesicourethral anastomosis and urethra into the perineum.
10	If bladder neck reconstruction is necessary, different options are available. A ventral “tennis racket” technique offer the best chance to ventrally oversew the anastomosis in case of leakage (without having to reopen the anastomosis again).
11	Careful athermal dissection of the endopelvic fascia should be performed in order to preserve the fascial supports of the bladder (pubovesical ligament and arcus tendineus) and preserve the branches of the pelvic splanchnic nerves, which lie medial to the pelvic floor muscles. These nerves supply the sphincter complex.
	Leaving the endopelvic fascia intact by dissecting medially to the pubovesical ligaments is another possibility for avoiding damage to the aforementioned structures.
12	Apical dissection medial to the pubovesical ligaments preserves the pubourethral support and stabilises the external sphincter complex, and helps to secure the membranous urethra to the pubic bone.
	Alternatively, a ventral suspension stitch to the periosteum of the symphysis may be considered.
13	Ligation of the dorsal venous complex before dividing it could potentially compromise the urethra. Therefore, ligation has to be performed carefully. Free mobility of the catheter after ligation only indicates an uncompromised catheter and not an uncompromised urethra.
	Alternatively, the dorsal venous complex can be dissected without prior suturing; possible bleeding can be then addressed selectively under direct vision.
14	Sparing of the dorsal venous complex (and the muscular slips associated with it) and the detrusor apron by way of sub-DVC dissection or Retzius-sparing dissection can be attempted in low-risk disease and when technically feasible. This may play a role in early return of urinary continence.
15	An 18 Ch. Foley catheter can be deemed sufficient in size. Larger diameter may potentially raise the risk of urethral strictures.
16	If oncologically possible, the posterior prostatic fascia should be left (partially) intact. This provides a posterior support to the anastomosis and the sphincter complex and avoids decline of the urethra. This has a positive effect on (at least early) continence results.