1. ¹Glickman Urological Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
2. ²Centre for Advanced Research in Human Reproduction, Infertility and Sexual Function, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
3. ³Department of Med-Peds, Case Western Reserve University (MHMC), Cleveland, Ohio, USA
4. ⁴Department of Internal Medicine and Paediatrics, Case Western Reserve University (MHMC), Cleveland, Ohio, USA

Correspondence: CD Zippe, MD, Co-Director, Prostate Center Staff, Glickman Urological Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Desk A100, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. E-mail: zippec@ccf.org

Received 3 March 2004; Revised 27 September 2004; Accepted 27 September 2004; Published online 4 November 2004.

Abstract

Baseline and follow-up data of 54 patients from a single surgical series (1998–2001), who used medicated urethral system for erection (MUSE) for the erectile dysfunction (ED) associated with radical prostatectomy (RP), were obtained. Patients were surveyed using the abridged five-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire, commonly referred to as the Sexual Health Inventory of Men (SHIM), to determine presence and severity of ED and efficacy of ED treatment modalities. The mean patient age was 63.75.6 y and the mean follow-up period was 2.31.2 y. All patients experienced ED for at least 6 months after their surgery before starting MUSE therapy. Overall, 55% of the patients achieved and maintained erections sufficient for sexual intercourse while on MUSE and 48% continued long-term therapy with a mean use of 2.321.2 y. The mean presurgery SHIM score in these patients was 19.21.3, which decreased to 5.20.5 after surgery and increased to 16.31.3 after MUSE treatment. A total of 28 patients (52%) discontinued treatment after a mean use of 81.4 months. The reasons for discontinuation were insufficient erections (n=16, mean SHIM score of 10.54.4), switch to other ED therapies (n=4), natural return of erections (n=4) and urethral pain and burning (n=4). Excluding the patients (n=8) who preferred other therapies and return of natural erections, the compliance to MUSE was 63%. There were no significant differences in the IIEF-5 responses between the patients who had a nerve-sparing technique (n=34) and those who did not (n=20) or among patients who used different doses (250, 500 or 1000 g) of MUSE. The results of the current trial indicate that MUSE is a successful treatment option in RP patients with established ED. It appears that a post-treatment SHIM score of 16 defines a successful outcome with MUSE therapy.