Effect of transperineal template prostate biopsy on perioperative and functional outcomes following robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of template transperineal (TTP) compared to transrectal (TR) biopsy on surgical and functional outcomes after robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). Methods: From 2014 to 2018, 280 patients underwent RARP by a single surgeon. Of these, 184 had TR, and 96 had TTP biopsy. Primary outcomes were continence and erectile function recovery (EFR) rates up to 24 months postoperatively. Secondary outcomes comprised positive margin rates and markers of a difficult operation, including operative time, estimated blood loss (EBL), urethral preservation quality and ability to perform planned nerve-sparing surgery. Results: The median age was greater in the TTP group (64 vs. 62 years, p=0.028). The proportions of men with preoperative erectile dysfunction and men undergoing nerve-sparing surgery were not different between groups. Operative time, EBL, urethral preservation quality, proportion of men undergoing intended nerve-sparing procedure, positive margin rates and continence recovery rates were not different among the groups. At 24 months, men in the TR group had a higher EFR rate on univariate analysis ( p=0.036), and multivariate analysis ( p=0.03). Conclusion: TTP biopsy was not associated with markers of a more difficult RARP or worse oncological and continence recovery outcomes but did appear to impact upon long-term rates of EFR. Level of evidence: Level 4.