A Phase III Prospective Randomized Trial to Evaluate the Impact of Augmented Reality During Robot-assisted Radical Prostatectomy on the Rates of Postoperative Surgical Margins
Accurate preservation of neuro-vascular bundles is crucial in guaranteeing erectile function recovery after robot assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). However, the nerve sparing approach is associated with higher rates of positive surgical margins (PSM) at final pathology. Augmented reality (AR) RARP was previously associated with a 10-15% reduction in the rates of PSMs in two retrospective series. However, prospective studies are needed to demonstrate clinical utility and to validate these technologies. The hypotheses of this study are that: 1) AR RARP reduces the rates of PSMs, if compared to standard approach; 2) AR RARP can guarantee a more accurate preservation of neurovascular bundles and, in consequence, a greater recovery of erectile function; 3) the lower rates of PSMs will translate in greater oncological control of the disease.
⁃ Untreated, biopsy-proven adenocarcinoma of the prostate Age ≥18 years
⁃ European Association of Urology (EAU) low or intermediate risk prostate cancer:
• PSA≤20 ng/ml
• cT≤2b
• International Society for Urological Pathology \[ISUP\] grade group≤III Written informed consent provided for participation in the trial International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5)≥20 No contraindications for multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI)