Prostate cancer is the most common male malignancy, and although robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) is widely used, urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction remain significant issues. NeuroSAFE, an intraoperative frozen section technique aimed at optimizing nerve preservation without compromising cancer control, is increasingly used, but its overall impact on outcomes remains unclear.To systematically evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the NeuroSAFE technique during RARP, comparing functional recovery and oncologic outcomes with non-NeuroSAFE approaches.This systematic review and meta-analysis followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251032774). A comprehensive search of Embase, MEDLINE, and ClinicalTrials.gov (March, 2026) identified studies reporting oncologic and/or functional outcomes in men undergoing RARP with NeuroSAFE. Two reviewer teams independently conducted study selection, data extraction, and risk-of-bias assessment using ROBINS-I tool. Random-effects meta-analyses estimated pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Heterogeneity was quantified with the I2 statistic, and publication bias was evaluated using Egger's test.Thirteen studies (2 randomized controlled trials and 11 observational cohorts) comprising 22,183 patients met the inclusion criteria. NeuroSAFE was associated with significantly improved postoperative erectile function (OR 2.00; 95% CI 1.46-2.74) and urinary continence recovery (OR 1.36; 95% CI 1.05-1.76). Positive surgical margins were significantly reduced in the NeuroSAFE group (OR 0.73; 95% CI 0.59-0.89). No differences in biochemical recurrence were observed (OR 0.81; 95% CI 0.43-1.56). Heterogeneity was substantial for some outcomes, and most nonrandomized studies carried a serious risk of bias, which limits causal inference.This systematic review and meta-analysis, including randomized evidence, demonstrates that NeuroSAFE is a safe and effective intraoperative strategy that is associated with improved erectile function, enhanced continence recovery, and negative surgical margins without compromising oncologic outcomes. These findings support integrating NeuroSAFE into surgical decision-making for patients undergoing RARP, particularly when nerve preservation can be achieved without compromising oncologic outcomes.In this study, we compared a surgical approach that uses real-time analysis during prostate cancer surgery with the standard technique. This method helps surgeons decide how much tissue to preserve while the operation is still ongoing. We found that this approach is safe and may improve recovery of urinary continence and sexual function, while also reducing the risk of leaving cancer behind, without compromising cancer control.
Journal of robotic surgery. 2026 May 13*** epublish ***
Caio Vinicius Suartz, José Pedro Cassemiro Micheleto, Bianca Espadilha Condotta, Leonam Bringhenti Schumacher, Ketlyn Assunção Galhardo, Maria Fernanda Dias Azevedo, Pedro Henrique Souza Brito, Daher Chade, José Maurício Mota, Maurício Cordeiro Dener, Thalita Bento Talizin, Walid Sharour, Walid Shabana, Roberto Iglesias Lopes, Marian Wettstein, Mohamed Elkoushy, William Carlos Nahas, Bárbara Vieira Lima Aguiar Melão, Murilo de Almeida Luz, Leonardo Oliveira Reis, Jose de Bessa Junior, Roni De Carvalho Fernandes, Leopoldo Alves Ribeiro Filho
Department of Urology, Northern Ontario School of Medicine University, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada. ., Division of Urology, Institute of Cancer of São Paulo, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil., Genitourinary Medical Oncology Service, São Paulo State Cancer Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil., Department of Urology, Northern Ontario School of Medicine University, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada., Departamento de Oncologia, Hospital Adventista de Manaus, Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil., Department of Urology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA., UroScience, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil., Department of Surgery, State University of Feira de Santana, Feira de Santana, Brazil., School of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.