Korean J Urol.  2015 Feb;56(2):99-108. 10.4111/kju.2015.56.2.99.

Current status of penile rehabilitation after radical prostatectomy

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Urology, Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
  • 2Department of Urology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. swleepark@hanyang.ac.kr

Abstract

Although disease-free survival remains the primary goal of prostate cancer treatment, erectile dysfunction (ED) remains a common complication that affects the quality of life. Even though several preventive and therapeutic strategies are available for ED after radical prostatectomy (RP), no specific recommendations have been made on the optimal rehabilitation or treatment strategy. Several treatment options are available, including phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, vacuum erection devices, intracavernosal or intraurethral prostaglandin injections, and penile prostheses. Urologists must consider more effective ways to establish optimal treatments for ED after RP. ED is an important issue among patients with prostate cancer, and many patients hope for early ED recovery after surgery. This review highlights the currently available treatment options for ED after RP and discusses the limitations of each.

Keyword

Erectile dysfunction; Penis erection; Prostatectomy

MeSH Terms

Alprostadil/therapeutic use
Erectile Dysfunction/etiology/*rehabilitation
Humans
Male
Penile Implantation
Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors/therapeutic use
Prostatectomy/*adverse effects/rehabilitation
Prostatic Neoplasms/*surgery
Risk Factors
Vacuum
Vasodilator Agents/therapeutic use
Alprostadil
Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors
Vasodilator Agents

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