Hugo™ Versus daVinci™ Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy: 1-Year Propensity Score-Matched Comparison of Functional...

Background/Objectives: A comprehensive comparison of intraoperative, oncological, and functional outcomes of RARP performed with different robotic surgical platforms is critically needed. Our aim is to compare the oncological and functional outcomes of RARP performed using the novel Hugo™ RAS system with those from the daVinci system, the reference standard, at a high-volume robotic center, with an extended follow-up period (one year). Methods: We analyzed the data of 400 patients undergoing RARP ± pelvic lymph node dissection between 2021 and 2023, using propensity score (PS) matching to correct for treatment selection bias. All procedures were performed by three surgeons with HugoTM RAS or daVinci. This analysis extends the follow-up period to 1 year, focusing on specific functional and oncological outcomes, building on our previous 3-month evaluation of perioperative outcomes. The primary outcome was the trifecta rate, defined as freedom from biochemical recurrence, continence, and erectile function recovery. Secondary outcomes included detailed assessments of oncological outcomes (PSA levels) and functional outcomes (continence and erectile function). Results: The propensity score-matched cohort included 99 matched pairs (198 patients), balanced for all covariates. No significant differences were found in trifecta rates between the two platforms at 1-year follow-up (Hugo: 25.25%, daVinci: 27.27%, p = 0.743). Both groups showed improved trifecta rates when considering only nerve-sparing procedures (Hugo: 36.84%, daVinci: 35.59%, p = 0.889). Continence rates were similar (Hugo: 87.9%, daVinci: 89.9%, p = 0.327), as were the undetectable PSA rates (Hugo: 92.9%, daVinci: 88.8%, p = 0.158). Also, the erectile function recovery rate did not differ significantly between the groups. Conclusions: This is the first study comparing 1-year functional and oncological outcomes of RARP performed with Hugo™ RAS and daVinci surgical robotic systems using PS matching. Functional and oncological outcomes of RARP were comparable between the two robotic platforms. These findings confirm that the transition to the Hugo™ platform does not compromise surgical proficiency or patient outcomes, even if further long-term studies are necessary to confirm these results.