Second Prize: Pelvic neuroanatomy and innovative approaches to minimize nerve damage and maximize cancer control in patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy

J Endourol. 2008 Jun;22(6):1137-46. doi: 10.1089/end.2008.0097.

Abstract

Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy is an option for surgical management of clinically localized prostate cancer. There have been theoretical concerns, however, regarding lack of anatomic data with specific relevance to robot-assisted prostatectomy, use of thermal or electrical energy during nerve sparing, and lack of tactile feedback. To address these concerns, we have revisited anatomic foundations and have incorporated a few modifications and strategies in the technique of robot-assisted prostatectomy to maximize cancer control, preserve neurovascular tissue, and emulate time-tested steps of anatomic radical prostatectomy. We present our findings about neural anatomy, modified technique, and oncologic and functional outcomes from patients who have undergone this procedure at our institution.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Awards and Prizes*
  • Dissection
  • Humans
  • Intraoperative Period
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuroanatomy / methods*
  • Pelvis / innervation*
  • Pelvis / pathology*
  • Prostate-Specific Antigen / blood
  • Prostatectomy / methods*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / complications
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Robotics / methods*
  • Urinary Incontinence / complications

Substances

  • Prostate-Specific Antigen