Robotic transperineal prostate biopsy: pilot clinical study.

Area of Science:

• Robotics in Medicine
• Urological Surgery
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Transperineal prostate biopsy (PB) is crucial for diagnosing prostate cancer.
• Current PB methods can be invasive and carry risks.
• Advancements in robotic technology offer potential improvements in precision and safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate the BioXbot, a robot designed for ultrasound-guided transperineal prostate biopsy.
• To assess the safety and feasibility of the BioXbot system in a pilot clinical trial.
• To determine the clinical and technical endpoints of robotic-assisted PB.

Main Methods:

• A prospective clinical trial involving 20 patients indicated for PB.
• The BioXbot system performed biopsies using two perineal skin punctures under ultrasound guidance.
• Procedures were conducted by two urologists under general anesthesia.

Main Results:

• The mean procedure time was 32.5 ± 3.2 minutes, with an average of 28.5 ± 6.2 biopsies taken.
• Three patients were diagnosed with prostate cancer (Gleason score 3 + 3).
• No mechanical failures, sepsis, or significant bleeding occurred; two patients required brief catheterization.

Conclusions:

• The BioXbot system is a safe and feasible platform for performing transperineal prostate biopsies.
• Robotic-assisted PB demonstrates potential for image-guided diagnosis and focal therapy applications.
• Further research is warranted to explore the full capabilities of BioXbot in urological procedures.