Strategies to Improve Nerve Regeneration After Radical Prostatectomy: a Narrative Review
View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Institutional Research Information System University of Turin Strategies to improve nerve regeneration after radical prostatectomy: a narrative review Stefano Geuna 1, 2, Luisa Muratori1, 2, Federica Fregnan 1, 2, Matteo Manfredi4 , Riccardo Bertolo 3, 4 , Francesco Porpiglia4. 1 Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Orbassano (To), 10043, Italy. 2 Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), Orbassano (To), 10043, Italy. 3 Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, US. 4 Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Orbassano (To), 10043, Italy. Abstract Peripheral nerves are complex organs that spread throughout the entire human body. They are frequently affected by lesions not only as a result of trauma but also following radical tumor resection. In fact, despite the advancement in surgical techniques, such as nerve- sparing robot assisted radical prostatectomy, some degree of nerve injury may occur resulting in erectile dysfunction with significant impairment of the quality of life. The aim of this review is to provide an overview on the mechanisms of the regeneration of injured peripheral nerves and to describe the potential strategies to improve the regeneration process and the functional recovery. Yet, the recent advances in bio- engineering strategies to promote nerve regeneration in the urological field are outlined with a view on the possible future regenerative therapies which might ameliorate the functional outcome after radical prostatectomy. 1 Introduction Radical prostatectomy is the gold standard surgical treatment for organ-confined prostate cancer. The employment of innovative surgical technique such as nerve-sparing robot assisted radical prostatectomy allowed to magnify the anatomical field leading to a three- dimensional perspective obtained through the robotic lenses and a better anatomical knowledge.
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