Influence of magnetic resonance imaging in the decision to preserve or resect neurovascular bundles at robotic assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy

Purpose We evaluated the accuracy of preoperative multiparametric 3.0-T magnetic resonance imaging for local staging of prostate cancer and its influence in the decision to preserve neurovascular bundles at robotic assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Materials and Methods The study included 353 patients who had confirmed prostate cancer and underwent preoperative magnetic resonance imaging and robotic assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy between 2008 and 2011. The extent of neurovascular bundle sparing was initially determined on the basis of the clinical information and the nerve sparing surgical plan was reevaluated after review of the magnetic resonance imaging report. The value of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging in the prediction of extracapsular extension and in the decision of surgical plan according to D'Amico risk classification was analyzed. Results The magnetic resonance imaging performed correct staging, over staging and under staging in 261 (73.9%), 43 (12.2%), and 49 (13.9%) patients, respectively. After review of the magnetic resonance imaging reports, the initial surgical plan was not changed in 260 patients (74%) and was changed in 93 patients (26%). Robotic assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy was changed to a more preservable neurovascular bundle sparing procedure in 53 patients (57%) and changed to a more aggressive neurovascular bundle resecting procedure in 40 patients (43%). For the patients with a change to more conservative surgery, the appropriateness was 91%. The sensitivity of magnetic resonance imaging in predicting extracapsular extension showed a tendency to increase from low to high risk groups (33%, 46%, 80%, respectively, p <0.001). In intermediate and high risk groups, there was a surgical plan change in 40 patients (of 129, 31%) and 27 patients (of 67, 40%), respectively. Conclusions Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging significantly improves the decision making to preserve or resect the neurovascular bundle at robotic assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, which lacks haptic feedback.