2017, Volume 10, Issue 1, pp 13 – 18

Erectile dysfunction post-radical prostatectomy – a challenge for both patient and physician

SCImago Journal & Country Rank

Issues

Special Issues

Authors and Affiliations

Correspondence to: Dragos Radu Marcu, junior urologist Department of Urology, “Dr. Carol Davila” Central Military Universitary Emergency Hospital Bucharest, 88 Mircea Vulcanescu Street, code 010825, Bucharest, Romania Mobile phone: +40726909358 , E-mail: marcuradudragos@yahoo.com

Abstract

Post-radical prostatectomy erectile dysfunction (post RP ED) is a major postoperative complication with a great impact on the quality of life of the patients. Until present, no proper algorithm or guideline based on the clinical trials has been established for the management of post RP ED.

According to literature, it is better to initiate a penile rehabilitation program as soon as possible after surgery than doing nothing, in order to prevent and limit the postoperative local hypoxygenation and fibrosis.

The results of numerous clinical trials regarding the effectiveness of the phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors therapy on post RP ED have made them the gold standard treatment. Encouraging results have been achieved in studies with vacuum erectile devices, intraurethral suppositories with alprostadil and intracavernosal injections, but due to their side effects, especially in the cases of intracavernosal injections and intraurethral suppositories, their clinical use was limited therefore making them a second line option for the post RP ED treatment.

What should not be forgotten is that penile implant prosthesis has proven very effective, numerous studies confirming high rates of satisfaction for both patients and partners.

Keywords

About this article

PMC ID: 5304365
PubMed ID: 28255370
DOI: 

Article Publishing Date (print): Jan-Mar 2017
Available Online: 

Journal information

ISSN Printing: 1844-122X
ISSN Online: 1844-3117
Journal Title: Journal of Medicine and Life

Copyright License: Open Access

This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use and redistribution provided that the original author and source are credited.


SCImago Journal & Country Rank

Issues

Special Issues