- Specific surgical techniques during robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy may influence a patient’s ability to regain erectile function.
- 'Peel/push' gestures during the nerve-sparing step were associated with increased recovery rates.
- Certain actions like applying heat energy or using grasping gestures on the neurovascular bundle were linked to lower recovery rates.
- Younger age, smaller prostate volume, and full nerve preservation were associated with higher recovery rates.
- Surgeon experience was not predictive of better outcomes.
- Higher tissue handling scores were associated with improved outcomes.
- Overall, 34% of the patients regained erections sufficient for intercourse at 1 year.
Source: JAMA Surgery
