Willem de Blok
Papers
12
Total Citations
455
H-Index
9
About
Willem de Blok is a urological surgeon and researcher whose work has centered on optimizing outcomes in robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) for prostate cancer, with particular expertise in surgical technique refinement, functional recovery, and quality of life. His most influential contributions focus on the preservation of anatomical structures during robotic prostatectomy — most notably his highly cited 2009 study demonstrating that lateral prostatic fascia preservation significantly improves urinary continence post-surgery (117 citations), and complementary work showing the relationship between fascia preservation and erectile function recovery (50–96 citations combined). De Blok further advanced the field by investigating posterior musculofascial reconstruction as a technique to accelerate early continence recovery, documented in a prospective parallel group trial that garnered 80 citations. His research extends beyond the operating room: he has rigorously compared quality of life outcomes across treatment modalities — brachytherapy, RALP, and active surveillance — providing clinicians with comparative evidence to guide patient counseling. Additional contributions include characterizing the learning curve for pelvic lymph node dissection during RALP and exploring the consequences of extended nodal dissection on sexual function. Collectively, his body of work has meaningfully shaped how robotic prostatectomy is performed and how patients are supported throughout their treatment journey.
Research Focus
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