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To demonstrate the existence of different degrees of nerve sparing (NS) (graded NS) by comparing the surgeon's intent of NS with the residual nerve tissue on prostatectomy specimens.

We performed a prospective study of 133 consecutive patients who underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy in January and February of 2011. The surgeon graded the amount of NS intraoperatively independently for either side as follows: 1, no NS; 2, <50% NS; 3, 50% NS; 4, 75% NS; and 5, ≥95% NS. A pathologist who was unaware of the surgeon's score measured the area of residual nerve tissue on the posterolateral surface of the prostate.

A greater NS score correlated significantly with a decreasing area of residual nerve tissue on the prostatectomy specimens (P < .001). Overall, the area of residual nerve tissue on the prostatectomy specimens was significantly different among the NS …