Stijn Heijmink
Papers
3
Total Citations
67
H-Index
3
About
Dr. Stijn Heijmink is a leading researcher in urological oncology, with a primary focus on improving functional outcomes following robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) for prostate cancer. His work centers on the intersection of advanced pelvic imaging and surgical technique, particularly the role of periprostatic and membranous urethral anatomy in preserving continence and erectile function. Dr. Heijmink’s most significant contribution is the development of a quantitative, MRI-based assessment of fascia preservation, which he demonstrated to be a superior predictor of early continence recovery compared to traditional measures like membranous urethral length alone. This work, published in 2017 and cited over 40 times, provides surgeons with a novel, actionable metric to guide intraoperative decision-making. He further standardized the measurement of membranous urethral length on MRI, achieving high inter- and intra-observer agreement—a critical step for clinical reproducibility. His research has also shown that periprostatic fascia thickness and the degree of its preservation are key prognostic factors for erectile function after nerve-sparing surgery. By integrating detailed anatomical imaging with surgical outcomes, Dr. Heijmink is helping to refine RARP techniques, ultimately aiming to reduce post-operative side effects and improve quality of life for prostate cancer patients.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
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