Role of pharmacologic rehabilitation in the recovery of sexual function following radical prostatectomy.

Abstract

AIM:

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the role of pharmacological postoperative sexual rehabilitation in the recovery of erectile function following radical retropubic prostatectomy.

METHODS:

Following radical retropubic prostatectomy 113 patients were divided into 2 groups: 77 (group 1) underwent pharmacologic rehabilitation with intracavernous PGE1 starting with 5 mg once or twice weekly beginning 1 month after surgery, followed by oral sildenafil 50-100 mg twice a week after recovery of spontaneous erections, while 36 (group 2) acted as controls. The 2 groups were homogeneous for age and preoperative IIEF5 score, while nerve-sparing techniques were used more frequently in group 1.

RESULTS:

With 1 year follow-up 42% of group 1 patients have recovered sexual function, versus 8% of group 2 (P < 0.001). The mean recovery time was 7 months, and 56% of rehabilitated patients with bilateral preservation of the neurovascular bundles recovered sexual function, compared to 37.5% of those with unilateral preservation and 28.5% of those operated with non nerve-sparing technique. Intracavernous PGE1 caused pain in 27% of cases.

CONCLUSIONS:

Pharmacologic rehabilitation significantly impacts on the recovery of sexual function following radical prostatectomy, and the optimal treatment schedule is still to be defined.

• Authors: N Dinelli, G Salinitri, G Pomara, F Menchini Fabris, G Morelli, C Selli
• Journal: Minerva urologica e nefrologica = The Italian journal of urology and nephrology (Minerva Urol Nefrol) Vol. 57 Issue 4 Pg. 325-9 (Dec 2005) ISSN: 0393-2249 [Print] Italy
• PMID: 16247354 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Piperazines
• Purines
• Sulfones
• Vasodilator Agents
• Sildenafil Citrate
• Alprostadil

Topics

• Aged
• Alprostadil (therapeutic use)
• Erectile Dysfunction (drug therapy, etiology, rehabilitation)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Piperazines (therapeutic use)
• Prostatectomy (adverse effects)
• Purines
• Recovery of Function
• Sildenafil Citrate
• Sulfones
• Vasodilator Agents (therapeutic use)