1. ¹Division of Urology, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA
2. ²LA BioMed Institute, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA
3. ³Department of Urology, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Correspondence: Dr J Rajfer, Division of Urology, Box 5, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, 1000 West Carson Street, Torrance, CA 90509, USA. E-mail: jrajfer@ucla.edu

Received 25 April 2007; Revised 4 June 2007; Accepted 7 June 2007; Published online 2 August 2007.

Abstract

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common complication after radical prostatectomy and results from trauma sustained by the cavernosal nerves. This is a major concern for patients and often affects treatment decisions. The likely mechanism for post-prostatectomy ED is through corporal veno-occlusive dysfunction. There is an increasing amount of evidence to suggest that phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PDE5 inhibitors), when given on a continuous long-term basis, can help to prevent and reverse ED after surgery. In this review article we will examine the pathophysiology of post-prostatectomy ED and discuss the experimental and available clinical evidence for administering PDE5 inhibitors after prostatectomy.