Use of a flexible carbon dioxide laser fiber for precise dissection of the neurovascular bundle during robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy.

Introduction: Carbon dioxide (CO(2)) lasers deliver energy with minimal thermal spread to tissues during dissection. Excess thermal spread during dissection of the neurovascular bundle (NVB) can affect potency in men after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). We report on a novel delivery mechanism for CO(2) laser energy through a flexible fiber to enhance accuracy of NVB dissection during RARP.