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Erectile dysfunction following prostatectomy: prevention and treatment

Nature Reviews Urology volume 6, pages 415–427 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

Radical prostatectomy (RP) remains the standard treatment for men with clinically localized prostate cancer, despite the range of alternative treatment modalities. Even with significant advances in surgical technique and superb results for cancer control and preservation of urinary function, erectile dysfunction (ED) following RP is a common complication. This is mainly attributed to temporary cavernous nerve damage (neuropraxia) resulting in penile hypoxia, smooth muscle apoptosis, fibrosis and veno-occlusive dysfunction. One of the most promising new approaches is the concept of early penile rehabilitation, which is thought to prevent ED after RP by countering post-RP pathophysiological changes during the period of neural recovery. Various treatments, such as vacuum constriction devices, intraurethral and intracorporal alprostadil, and phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, might serve to facilitate recovery of erectile function. PDE5 inhibitors are considered as the first-line treatment for early penile rehabilitation, with superior erectile function outcomes compared to placebo. Definitive conclusions regarding the success of penile rehabilitation cannot be drawn at this time because of differences in study design, data acquisition, and definitions of potency. Continued prospective, rigorous study is needed to develop and bring forward this important field and to establish the best evidence basis for counseling and treating patients suffering from ED after RP.

Key Points

  • Despite advances in surgical technique, erectile dysfunction (ED) remains one of the major complications following radical prostatectomy (RP) affecting health-related quality of life

  • Post-RP ED is considered a consequence of postoperative neuropraxia resulting in penile hypoxia, smooth muscle apoptosis, fibrosis and veno-occlusive dysfunction

  • One promising approach to prevent post-RP ED is the concept of early penile rehabilitation with various treatment options

  • PDE5 inhibitors are currently considered as the first-line treatment for early penile rehabilitation

  • The majority of published data are limited by discrepancies in study design, data acquisition, and inconsistencies in defining adequate erectile function

  • Definite conclusions regarding the success of penile rehabilitation cannot be drawn at this time

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Figure 1: Illustration of the anatomical relationship between the prostate and the neurovascular bundles (NVBs).
Figure 2: Mechanism of alprostadil action.
Figure 3: Mechanism of PDE5 inhibitor action.

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Acknowledgements

Désirée Lie, University of California, Irvine, CA, is the author of and is solely responsible for the content of the learning objectives, questions and answers of the MedscapeCME-accredited continuing medical education activity associated with this article.

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  1. Department of Urology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany

    Ahmed Magheli

  2. Department of Urology, The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Arthur L. Burnett

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Magheli, A., Burnett, A. Erectile dysfunction following prostatectomy: prevention and treatment. Nat Rev Urol 6, 415–427 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrurol.2009.126

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