recovery assessed by IIEF-5 score >15 at 12-months. Important secondary outcomes include detailed peri-operative outcomes, histological outcomes, post-operative complications, biochemical recurrence rates, urinary continence (assessed by ICIQ), and health related quality of life (assessed by Rand-36 and EQ-5D-5L). Aiming to demonstrate a difference of 15% in erectile function recovery rates between the arms, a total of 404 men will need to be randomised and treated. Patients will continue to be followed for outcomes until 5 years after treatment.RESULTS: At the time of writing, 159 men have been recruited and treated with RARP as per random allocation at the 4 participating sites. The independent DMC has met thrice to ensure the oncological safety of the trial and will continue to review the data at intervals. Covid-19 has led to significant challenges, including suspension of recruitment and difficulties performing follow-up. The trial team have developed new methods of recruitment, consent and follow-up to ensure conduct of the study remains in line with the highest standards of trial conduct.CONCLUSIONS: The NeuroSAFE technique has been reported as a method to optimise outcomes for men undergoing RARP for over a decade, but, in the absence of level 1 evidence, equipoise remains. We hope that our full trial (the first RCT of the NeuroSAFE technique in the world) will provide the evidence to establish whether what has long been a promising technique truly improves outcomes for men undergoing RP.
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