Full Neurovascular Sparing Extraperitoneal Robotic Radical Prostatectomy: Our Experience with PERUSIA Technique

Primary aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and the safety of PERUSIA (posterior, extraperitoneal, robotic, under santorini, intrafascial, anterograde) radical prostatectomy (RP). Secondary aim was to evaluate oncologic and functional results. The main intent of PERUSIA is to reduce injury of the Neuro-Vascular Bundles (NVB) and to preserve periurethral anterior structures. This is the first reported prospective cohort study about our technique.

We collected prospective data of a cohort of 210 patients who had undergone PERUSIA RP between January 2013 and May 2015. Key points of this technique included the following: posterior approach to intrafascial plane, which was developed from the median to lateral side, anterograde preservation of the Veil of Aphrodite, and development of an anterior avascular plane to preserve the santorini plexus. We included only sexually potent patients with low-risk disease. Perioperative, oncologic, and functional outcomes were collected. Postoperative full continence was defined as no pad use. Patients were defined potent when International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) score was >17. Median follow-up was 22 months.

Median operative time and median estimated blood loss were 120 minutes and 150 mL, respectively. 25 patients (11.9%) experienced a total of 36 complications overall with an overall complication rate of 17.1%. We reported 3 (8.3%) grade IIIb complications and no major ones. Overall positive surgical margin rate was 20% with biochemical recurrence occurring in 3.8% of patients at a median follow-up of 22 months. Immediate urinary continence rate (1 day after catheter removal) was 66.6%. At 3 and 12 months, the continence rate was 90.4% and 96.1%, respectively, while sexual potency rate was 70.4% and 80.9%.

PERUSIA RP has proved to be safe and effective for low-risk prostate cancer with exciting functional outcomes in terms of early recovery of urinary continence and sexual potency.