Wolfgang Horninger

About

Wolfgang Horninger is a leading figure in urologic oncology, best known for his pioneering work in the neuroanatomy of the prostate and the refinement of nerve-sparing robotic prostatectomy. His research has fundamentally reshaped how surgeons balance the competing goals of cancer control and functional preservation. Horninger’s landmark 2006 study on the “proximal neurovascular plate” and the tri-zonal neural architecture around the prostate (199 citations) provided the first detailed anatomical map for athermal robotic techniques, directly improving post-surgical potency and continence rates. He further demonstrated the long-term viability of robotic Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasty in a five-year study (136 citations), and his 2008 work on the trizonal nerve-sparing technique (65 citations) established critical steps to minimize nerve damage while maximizing oncologic outcomes. Beyond prostate surgery, Horninger contributed to bladder cancer research, identifying 7p12 amplification as a biomarker for pathologic nonresponse to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. His work, often conducted in collaboration with leading robotic surgeons, has been recognized with awards, including a second prize for innovative pelvic neuroanatomy studies. Horninger’s legacy lies in translating complex neural architecture into actionable surgical protocols that have become standard in high-volume robotic centers worldwide.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   The proximal neurovascular plate and the tri‐zonal neural architecture around the prostate gland: importance in the athermal robotic technique of nerve‐sparing prostatectomy

   199 citations · 2006
2. 2
   Robotic Anderson‐Hynes pyeloplasty: 5‐year experience of one centre

   136 citations · 2007
3. 3
   Cancer control and the preservation of neurovascular tissue: how to meet competing goals during robotic radical prostatectomy

   65 citations · 2008
4. 4
   Nerve-sparing during robotic radical prostatectomy: Use of computer modeling and anatomic data to establish critical steps and maneuvers

   16 citations · 2005
5. 5
   Second Prize: Pelvic Neuroanatomy and Innovative Approaches to Minimize Nerve Damage and Maximize Cancer Control in Patients Undergoing Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy

   9 citations · 2008
6. 6
   Amplification of 7p12 Is Associated with Pathologic Nonresponse to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer

   8 citations · 2019
7. 7
   1155: Neuroanatomic Maps for Nerve Sparing Robotic Prostatectomy: A Study Describing the Importance of the Neurovascular Plate and its Relationship to the Steps of Surgery

   2 citations · 2006

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links