Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41735688›Full record

ArticleJournal of robotic surgery2026

The core aquablation pentafecta: a five-domain composite definition of procedural success and learning curve validation in 300 consecutive cases.

Luca Di Gianfrancesco, Daniele D'Agostino, Filippo Marino, Davide De Marchi, Marco Giampaoli, Antonio Amodeo, Paolo Corsi, Giuliana Lista, Gian Maria Busetto, Angelo Porreca

Abstract readValidation Study
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of robotic surgery, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Luca Di GianfrancescoDepartment of Urology, Humanitas Gavazzeni, Via Mauro Gavazzeni 21, Bergamo, 24125, Italy. dr.lucadigianfrancesco@gmail.com.
Daniele D'AgostinoDepartment of Urology, Humanitas Gavazzeni, Via Mauro Gavazzeni 21, Bergamo, 24125, Italy.
Filippo MarinoDepartment of Urology, Humanitas Gavazzeni, Via Mauro Gavazzeni 21, Bergamo, 24125, Italy.
Davide De MarchiDepartment of Urology, Humanitas Gavazzeni, Via Mauro Gavazzeni 21, Bergamo, 24125, Italy.
Marco GiampaoliDepartment of Urology, Humanitas Gavazzeni, Via Mauro Gavazzeni 21, Bergamo, 24125, Italy.
Antonio AmodeoDepartment of Urology, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy.
Paolo CorsiDepartment of Urology, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy.
Giuliana ListaDepartment of Urology, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy.
Gian Maria BusettoDepartment of Urology, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
Angelo PorrecaDepartment of Urology, Humanitas Gavazzeni, Via Mauro Gavazzeni 21, Bergamo, 24125, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Aquablation, a robotic waterjet ablation guided by real-time ultrasound, is increasingly used for benign prostatic obstruction (BPO). Randomized and comparative studies demonstrate efficacy, safety, and superior functional preservation compared with thermal or laser techniques. We propose and validate a five-domain Core Aquablation Pentafecta integrating objective, functional, and safety endpoints to define comprehensive procedural success. Three hundred consecutive men underwent Aquablation (2019–2024). The five Core Pentafecta domains were: (1) ≥ 50% reduction or ≥ 10-point improvement in IPSS, (2) ≥ 50% increase in Qmax, (3) no Clavien–Dindo ≥ III complication or transfusion, (4) preservation of continence and antegrade ejaculation, and (5) freedom from retreatment ≤ 24 months. Sequential 50-case cohorts were analyzed for learning-curve effects. Median age 67 years; median prostate 72 mL (range 22–220). Median operative time 45 min. IPSS improved from 23.4 ± 6.1 to 7.1 ± 4.8 (p < 0.001); Qmax from 8.9 ± 3.2 to 20.3 ± 6.0 mL/s (p < 0.001). Major complications 4%, no transfusions. All patients continent; 88% preserved antegrade ejaculation. No retreatments within 24 months. Core Pentafecta achievement rose from 58% (first 50 cases) to 73% overall and 82% after 150 procedures. The Core Aquablation Pentafecta provides a concise, reproducible metric integrating efficacy, safety, and durability. Achievement improved markedly with experience, plateauing above 80%, and was associated with sustained functional outcomes, supporting Aquablation as a function-preserving and durable robotic therapy for BPO in routine clinical practice.

Indexed as

AquablationLearning CurveProstatic HyperplasiaAgedHumansMaleMiddle AgedOperative TimeTreatment OutcomeAquablationBenign prostatic hyperplasiaBenign prostatic obstructionComposite outcome measureEjaculatory function preservationLearning curveLower urinary tract symptomsMinimally invasive prostate surgeryPentafectaRoboticwaterjet ablation

Identifiers

PMID41735688
PMCPMC12932293

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.