Nerve-sparing surgical technique for prostate improves erectile function outcomes – study

Library image. Credit: Getty/sturti

By Jane Kirby, PA Media

A technique to preserve nerves during prostate cancer surgery almost doubles the proportion of men who keep erectile function, according to a study.

Compared to standard surgery, researchers said the new method could dramatically improve men’s quality of life.

Experts from University College London (UCL) and University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) led the study, which will be presented at the European Association of Urology Congress in Madrid and published in the Lancet Oncology journal.

It evaluated a method called NeuroSAFE to preserve the periprostatic neurovascular bundles during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).

The method uses a standardised frozen section analysis to allow detection of positive surgical margins, while the patient is still in surgery.

The patient-blinded, randomised, controlled phase 3 trial looked at the effect of NeuroSAFE-guided RARP versus standard RARP on erectile function and urinary continence.

During surgery, the prostate is removed while the nerves are left intact. The prostate is then examined by a pathologist while the patient is still in surgery.