Development of Machine Learning Algorithm to Predict the Risk of Incontinence After Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy

Introduction: Predicting postoperative incontinence beforehand is crucial for intensified and personalized rehabilitation after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. Although nomograms exist, their retrospective limitations highlight artificial intelligence (AI)’s potential. This study seeks to develop a machine learning algorithm using robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) data to predict postoperative incontinence, advancing personalized care. Materials and Methods: In this propsective observational study, patients with localized prostate cancer undergoing RARP between April 2022 and January 2023 were assessed. Preoperative variables included age, body mass index, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, digital rectal examination (DRE) results, Gleason score, International Society of Urological Pathology grade, and continence and potency questionnaires responses. Intraoperative factors, postoperative outcomes, and pathological variables were recorded. Urinary continence was evaluated using the Expanded Prostate cancer Index Composite questionnaire, and machine learning models (XGBoost, Random Forest, Logistic Regression) were explored to predict incontinence risk. The chosen model’s SHAP values elucidated variables impacting predictions. Results: A dataset of 227 patients undergoing RARP was considered for the study. Post-RARP complications were predominantly low grade, and urinary continence rates were 74.2%, 80.7%, and 91.4% at 7, 13, and 90 days after catheter removal, respectively. Employing machine learning, XGBoost proved the most effective in predicting postoperative incontinence risk. Significant variables identified by the algorithm included nerve-sparing approach, age, DRE, and total PSA. The model’s threshold of 0.67 categorized patients into high or low risk, offering personalized predictions about the risk of incontinence after surgery. Conclusions: Predicting postoperative incontinence is crucial for tailoring rehabilitation after RARP. Machine learning algorithm, particularly XGBoost, can effectively identify those variables more heavily, impacting the outcome of postoperative continence, allowing to build an AI-driven model addressing the current challenges in post-RARP rehabilitation.