A single-center, retrospective review of robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy with and without cryopreserved umbilical cord allograft in improving continence recovery

The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of cryopreserved umbilical cord (UC) allograft as a nerve wrap around the neurovascular bundle (NVB) in accelerating return to continence after radical prostatectomy. A single-center, retrospective study was performed on 200 patients who underwent bilateral, nerve-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) with and without placement of UC around the NVBs (n = 100/group). Patients were excluded if they had previous simple or transurethral prostatectomy or history of pelvic radiation. Post-operative continence, defined as 0 or 1 safety pad, was analyzed between groups at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Complications, biochemical recurrence and adverse events were assessed to determine safety. Patients who underwent RARP with UC were significantly more likely to be continent at 1 month (65% vs. 44%, p = 0.018), 3 months (83% vs. 70%, p = 0.03), and 12 months (97% vs. 87%, p = 0.009). Sample stratification revealed that UC is beneficial for obese patients and those > 60 years, both of which are high risk for post-RARP incontinence. Biochemical failure was noted in 2 (UC) and 4 (control) patients. No adverse events or complications related to UC were observed. The results suggest that UC allograft is safe and accelerates continence recovery in post-RARP patients. Prospective, randomized trials are warranted.