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Preserving Erectile Function by Quantifying the Nerve-Sparing step of the Robotic Prostatectomy

Award Number: R01CA273031
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 07/07/2022
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2027

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Preserving Erectile Function by Quantifying the Nerve-Sparing step of the Robotic Prostatectomy - ABSTRACT Variation in performance between surgeons leads to differences in patient outcomes, but surgeons cannot improve if they are not aware of the technical considerations for a surgical procedure that will allow them to improve outcomes. As a prime example, robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) for prostate cancer can lead to highly variable rates of patient erectile function (EF) recovery (10-50%). Yet reliable means of objectively assessing surgeon performance, that strongly associate with patient outcomes, are generally lacking. In this project, as a test case for quantifying surgeon performance to improve a patient outcome, we will focus on assessing a surgeon’s nerve-sparing (NS) dissection quality during RARP through the evaluation of surgical video and patient outcomes. The nuanced NS step is a good test case because it is the primary determinant of the quantifiable EF outcome, RARP is a common procedure (~145,000 cases/year), and surgical video is readily available for analysis. We will accomplish our objective with three independent, yet complementary aims. Aim 1: We seek to determine through expert consensus the common technical considerations necessary to optimally perform the NS step for EF recovery. Aim 2: We will develop an automated performance assessment pipeline through computer vision analysis of surgical video. Aim 3: We will develop and validate a skills feedback assessment tool for a proof-of- concept NS-specific VR simulation. The primary differentiator of the proposed work is we will quantify the most relevant technical considerations for tissue dissection driving a patient reported outcome. Surgeons participating in this study will not only provide data through surgical videos of them performing the NS step, but they will also contribute real patient EF outcome data from the RARP to establish the relationship between surgeon skill, patient factors, and EF outcome. Statistical modeling will delineate the differential impact of surgeon skill and patient factors to EF outcome. Further, we will harness deep learning-based computer vision to holistically capture all the numerous facets of NS technique and skill to help determine how they contribute to the ultimate EF outcome. The proposed work will enable scalable and actionable feedback, empowering surgeons with valuable knowledge to maximize surgical outcome. The NS step and EF recovery after RARP will serve as our test case for future automated assessments to improve outcomes in any surgical procedure.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $733,887 )
2025	2025	CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER	8700 BEVERLY BLVD	WEST HOLLYWOOD	CA	90048	LOS ANGELES	USA	Cancer Treatment Research	003	5	6/23/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$733,887
2025	2023	CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER	8700 BEVERLY BLVD	WEST HOLLYWOOD	CA	90048	LOS ANGELES	USA	Cancer Treatment Research	002	3	2/12/2025	CHANGE OF GRANTEE / TRAINING INSTITUTION / AWARDING INSTITUTION	$256,064
2025	2023	UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA	3720 S FLOWER ST FL 3	LOS ANGELES	CA	90033	LOS ANGELES	USA	Cancer Treatment Research	001	2	2/12/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$11,961
2025	2022	UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA	3720 S FLOWER ST FL 3	LOS ANGELES	CA	90033	LOS ANGELES	USA	Cancer Treatment Research	000	1	2/12/2025	NEW	-$244,103
														Subtotal = $733,887

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $697,192 )
2024	2024	CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER	8700 BEVERLY BLVD	WEST HOLLYWOOD	CA	90048	LOS ANGELES	USA	Cancer Treatment Research	002	4	6/21/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$697,192
2024	2023	UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA	3720 S FLOWER ST	LOS ANGELES	CA	90089	LOS ANGELES	USA	Cancer Treatment Research	000	2	12/6/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$646,797
2024	2023	CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER	8700 BEVERLY BLVD	WEST HOLLYWOOD	CA	90048	LOS ANGELES	USA	Cancer Treatment Research	001	3	12/6/2023	CHANGE OF GRANTEE / TRAINING INSTITUTION / AWARDING INSTITUTION	$646,797
														Subtotal = $697,192

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $658,758 )
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA	3720 S FLOWER ST	LOS ANGELES	CA	90089	LOS ANGELES	USA	Cancer Treatment Research	000	2	6/8/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$658,758
														Subtotal = $658,758

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $768,101 )
2022	2022	UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA	3720 S FLOWER ST FL 3	LOS ANGELES	CA	90007	LOS ANGELES	USA	Cancer Treatment Research	000	1	7/7/2022	NEW	$768,101
														Subtotal = $768,101

Grand Total All Awards = $2,857,938

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Preserving Erectile Function by Quantifying the Nerve-Sparing step of the Robotic Prostatectomy

Award Number: R01CA273031

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 07/07/2022

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2027

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