Neurovascular Bundle Stimulation During Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy

In the researchers' words

This prospective first-in-human feasibility study will evaluate the safety and feasibility of selective electrical stimulation of the neurovascular bundles (NVBs) during nerve-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). 20 adult patients with localized prostate cancer, normal preoperative erectile function (IIEF \>20), and planned bilateral or unilateral nerve-sparing surgery will be enrolled. During surgery, a custom stimulation probe will deliver low-intensity electrical stimulation to the neurovascular bundles before and after prostate removal. Physiological responses, including penile rigidity, corpus cavernosum electromyography (CC-EMG), penile temperature, galvanic skin response, peripheral pulse, and other intraoperative signals, will be recorded to assess preservation of neurovascular function. The stimulation parameters remain below established safety thresholds for neural tissue. The study aims to determine whether selective neurovascular bundle stimulation is a safe and feasible method for intraoperative functional monitoring during RARP and to generate preliminary data for future clinical studies.