Harnessing the Power of AI for Better Urological Surgery Outcomes

Hackensack University Medical Center urologists mine robotic surgical system data for correlations between techniques, operative performance indicators and surgical outcomes

December 17, 2025

Urologists at Hackensack University Medical Center are using novel surgical data to define surgical excellence.

In 2024, the Department of Urology became one of the first in the nation to adopt the da Vinci 5, a next-generation robotic platform that allows surgeons to quantify and segment out procedures. Now, AI is helping them analyze results to improve important patient outcomes, including erectile function and continence levels.

In collaboration with Intuitive Surgical, the team is using a machine-learning application that analyzes steps of surgical video alongside hundreds of operative performance indicators (OPIs). By layering this data onto each step of a procedure, the team can, for the first time, truly quantify surgery.

“We’re working to understand how this can be used to improve outcomes and enhance training,” Michael Stifelman, M.D., Chair of Urology at Hackensack University Medical Center.

Focusing on radical prostatectomy, the team is analyzing which surgical steps correlate with improved functional outcomes. Their AI insight engine independently identified the key steps for preserving erectile function—neurovascular bundle and posterior dissection—and pinpointed specific OPIs that led to better results. These included smoother instrument movements, increased workspace volume, and decreased use of electrocautery.

The analysis also predicted that applying decreased force was one of the most relevant metrics for improving erectile function. This finding highlights the potential of the force feedback feature, which allows surgeons to feel and measure subtle forces on tissue. Performing a demonstrably gentler surgery may translate to less trauma and better sexual function recovery.

This data is also revolutionizing surgical education. Residents and fellows receive objective feedback, allowing them to master the techniques proven to improve patient outcomes. This pivotal shift towards data-driven surgery has future applications expected to elevate care across a wide range of complex robotic procedures.

Learn more about our innovations in urological care.