Neurovascular Bundle Stimulation During Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy
Slovenia20 participantsStarted 2026-09-01
Plain-language summary
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.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
MALE
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* male participants aged 18 years or older;
* histologically confirmed localized prostate cancer;
* scheduled to undergo robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) with planned unilateral or bilateral nerve-sparing surgery;
* normal preoperative erectile function, defined as an International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) score \>20;
* able and willing to provide written informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria:
* nerve-sparing surgery is not indicated;
* previous radical prostatectomy or pelvic surgery likely to alter neurovascular bundle anatomy;
* severe pre-existing erectile dysfunction, defined as an IIEF score ≤20;
* contraindication to robot-assisted radical prostatectomy;
* any medical, psychiatric, or other condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, could compromise participant safety, interfere with study participation, or affect interpretation of the study results.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Safety and technical feasibility of intraoperative selective neurovascular bundle stimulation
Timeframe: During the surgical procedure (intraoperative assessment).