Surgery for prostate cancer—radical prostatectomy—is performed at our center using a minimally invasive robotic technique in most cases. In addition to controlling the cancer, an important consideration for patients is the recovery of urinary continence and erectile function after surgery, which can significantly impact their quality of life.
A group of researchers from our center analyzed long-term functional outcomes in over 100 patients who underwent robotic surgery for prostate cancer, with a follow-up period of more than four years. The study assessed not only the recovery of urinary continence and erectile function, but also an aspect that is often overlooked: patients’ satisfaction with their decision to undergo surgery, defined as“decision regret.”
Following surgery, many patients were treated by physical therapists specializing in pelvic floor rehabilitation, with the goal of improving urinary continence, and underwent specific therapeutic programs aimed at restoring erectile function.
The results showed that patients who participated in rehabilitation programs were more likely to regain both urinary continence and erectile function in the long term.
One interesting finding concernsdecision regret: most patients reported low or very low levels of regret regarding their decision to undergo surgery. Statistical analysis also revealed that the most important factor associated with patient satisfaction was the restoration of urinary continence, even more so than the restoration of erectile function.
These findings underscore the importance of a comprehensive treatment plan that goes beyond surgery to include rehabilitation programs and attentive post-operative patient care, with the aim of improving long-term quality of life.
Longoni M, Quarta L, Cannoletta D, Scilipoti P, Cosenza A, Ciabattini M, Perri A, Cucchiara V, Barletta F, Scuderi S, Stabile A, Karakiewicz PI, Briganti A, Gandaglia G, Montorsi F. Long-term Functional Outcomes and Decision Regret after Robot-assisted Radical Prostatectomy: A Series of Experienced Surgeons. Eur Urol Focus. 2025 Dec 20:S2405-4569(25)00369-4. doi: 10.1016/j.euf.2025.12.014. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41423368.
