Robotic arm preserving anatomical space during Retzius-sparing prostatectomy

Retzius-Sparing Prostatectomy: Is It the Future of Prostate Cancer Surgery?

Elliot Brynn in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 3 min read.

"Explore the innovative Retzius-sparing approach in robot-assisted prostatectomy and how it's changing functional outcomes for patients."

Prostate cancer treatment has seen remarkable advancements, especially with the introduction of robotic surgery. These innovations aim not only to eradicate the cancer but also to preserve crucial aspects of life after surgery, such as urinary continence.

One such innovation is the Retzius-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RS-RARP). Traditional prostatectomy involves removing the prostate gland along with surrounding tissues, often disrupting the Retzius space—an area critical for bladder support and urinary control. RS-RARP, however, preserves this space, potentially leading to quicker recovery of continence.

This article delves into the RS-RARP technique, comparing it with standard RARP, and explores its benefits, outcomes, and what it might mean for the future of prostate cancer surgery. We'll examine the evidence, consider expert opinions, and provide a clear picture of this evolving surgical approach.

What Is Retzius-Sparing Prostatectomy and How Does It Work?

Robotic arm preserving anatomical space during Retzius-sparing prostatectomy

The Retzius space is located between the pubic bone and the bladder. Traditional prostatectomy often involves disrupting or removing tissues in this area, which can affect urinary control. RS-RARP is designed to avoid this disruption.

In RS-RARP, surgeons carefully navigate around the Retzius space, preserving the endopelvic fascia and puboprostatic ligaments. This approach aims to minimize the impact on the bladder's support structures and the nerves controlling urinary function. Preserving these structures can lead to:

Faster return to urinary continence
Reduced risk of bladder neck descent
Minimized distortion of urethral tissues

By maintaining the integrity of the Retzius space, RS-RARP seeks to optimize the patient's recovery and quality of life post-surgery.

Is Retzius-Sparing Prostatectomy Right for You?

If you or a loved one is facing prostate cancer surgery, understanding the options is crucial. RS-RARP represents a significant advancement, potentially offering a better quality of life after surgery. Discuss this option with your healthcare provider to determine if it's the right approach for your specific situation. As research continues and techniques evolve, RS-RARP may indeed become the future of prostate cancer surgery, balancing effective cancer treatment with improved patient outcomes.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

Everything You Need To Know

What is Retzius-sparing prostatectomy?

The Retzius-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RS-RARP) is a surgical technique used in prostate cancer treatment. Unlike traditional prostatectomy, which often disrupts the Retzius space, RS-RARP aims to preserve this space, which is located between the pubic bone and the bladder, along with the surrounding tissues like the endopelvic fascia and puboprostatic ligaments. This preservation is intended to minimize impact on bladder support structures and nerves controlling urinary function, potentially leading to quicker recovery of urinary continence, reduced risk of bladder neck descent, and minimized distortion of urethral tissues.

Why is it important to preserve the Retzius space, endopelvic fascia, and puboprostatic ligaments during prostate cancer surgery?

Preserving the Retzius space, endopelvic fascia, and puboprostatic ligaments during prostate cancer surgery is significant because these structures play a crucial role in urinary control and bladder support. By avoiding disruption to these areas with the Retzius-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RS-RARP) technique, surgeons aim to improve patient outcomes, specifically leading to faster recovery of urinary continence and overall better quality of life post-surgery. Traditional methods risk damage to these areas which can cause long term urinary issues.

What are the main benefits of having a Retzius-sparing prostatectomy?

The main benefit of Retzius-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RS-RARP) is the potential for quicker recovery of urinary continence compared to traditional prostatectomy. By preserving the Retzius space, endopelvic fascia, and puboprostatic ligaments, RS-RARP minimizes the impact on the bladder's support structures and nerves, leading to better urinary control post-surgery. Additional benefits may include a reduced risk of bladder neck descent and minimized distortion of urethral tissues, further enhancing the patient's quality of life.

What exactly is the Retzius space and why is it so important in prostatectomy?

The Retzius space is the area located between the pubic bone and the bladder. It's important in prostatectomy because it contains tissues crucial for bladder support and urinary control, specifically the endopelvic fascia and puboprostatic ligaments. Traditional prostatectomy often disrupts or removes tissues in this space, potentially leading to urinary control issues. By preserving this space, Retzius-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RS-RARP) aims to maintain the integrity of these structures and improve post-operative continence.

How do I know if Retzius-sparing prostatectomy is the right option for me?

To determine if Retzius-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RS-RARP) is right for you, it's essential to discuss this option with your healthcare provider. They can assess your specific situation, including the stage and characteristics of your prostate cancer, your overall health, and other individual factors, to determine if RS-RARP is the most appropriate surgical approach. They will consider the potential benefits of preserving the Retzius space, endopelvic fascia, and puboprostatic ligaments against other treatment options.