Nerve-sparing surgery

Nerve-sparing surgery is a type of surgery that attempts to save the nerves near the tissues being removed.

It is commonly applied in radical retropubic prostatectomy where surgeons may visually identify the cavernous nerves of penis or apply an electrical stimulation penile plethysmograph diagnostic test to verify the nerves. The bilateral approach attempts to spare the nerves on both sides of the prostate. The unilateral approach is specific to one side, usually because the prostate cancer has spread to prevent a bilateral nerve sparing approach.