NeuroSAFE Improves Erectile Function After Radical Prostatectomy
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter
THURSDAY, April 3, 2025 -- Use of the NeuroSAFE technique, a standardized frozen section analysis that enables accurate real-time detection of positive surgical margins during nerve sparing in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP), improves patient-reported erectile function, according to a study published online March 24 in The Lancet Oncology.
Eoin Dinneen, Ph.D., from University College London, and colleagues examined the effect of NeuroSAFE-guided RARP versus standard RARP on erectile function and urinary continence in a multicenter, randomized phase 3 trial. Patients with a diagnosis of nonmetastatic prostate cancer deemed suitable to undergo RARP with good erectile function and no previous prostate cancer treatment were enrolled and randomly allocated to standard RARP or NeuroSAFE-guided RARP (191 and 190 patients, respectively).
The researchers found that among the 344 patients in whom data were available at 12 months, the scores on the first five items of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) were 12.7 and 9.7 in the NeuroSAFE group (173 patients) and standard RARP group (171 patients), respectively. The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire (ICIQ) score was significantly lower in the NeuroSAFE group than the standard RARP group at three months (adjusted mean difference, −1.41). No significant difference in ICIQ score was seen between the groups at six months. The mean score on the IIEF-6 was higher in the NeuroSAFE group than the standard RARP group at 12 months (15.3 versus 11.5). Serious adverse events occurred in 3 percent of patients in both the NeuroSAFE and the standard RARP groups.
"These findings should inform guideline updates and confirm the role of the NeuroSAFE technique as an adjunct to guide nerve-sparing," the authors write.
One author disclosed ties to Intuitive Surgical.
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted April 2025
Read this next
Presurgical Immunotherapy Offers Long-Term Benefit in Melanoma
FRIDAY, July 18, 2025 -- Neoadjuvant systemic treatment (NST) followed by adjuvant treatment with nivolumab and relatlimab offers long-term benefit in adults with stage III/IV...
Velar Adhesion Reduces Cleft Width Prior to Palatoplasty in Cleft Lip
TUESDAY, July 15, 2025 -- For patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP), velar adhesion (VA) reduces cleft width prior to palatoplasty and is associated with a lower...
Risk for Death From Prostate Cancer Low With Guideline Care for Nonmetastatic Disease
MONDAY, July 14, 2025 -- Men with nonmetastatic prostate cancer receiving guideline-concordant care have a much higher risk for death from causes other than prostate cancer...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.