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Potency after unilateral nerve sparing surgery: a report on functional and oncological results of unilateral nerve sparing surgery

Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases volume 6, pages 61–65 (2003)Cite this article

Abstract

The objective of the study was to evaluate unilateral nerve sparing prostate surgery. Patient files of men who underwent unilateral nerve sparing radical prostatectomy were analyzed retrospectively after a minimum follow-up period of 18 months. Of 46 patients who received unilateral nerve sparing surgery, 14 (30.4%) regained full potency after surgery. In 92.9% of these patients, recovery occurred within a period of 18 months. Age is the single most important factor in the recuperation of potency after unilateral nerve sparing surgery. Most of the patients (84.8%) reported the ability to achieve orgasm. Of eight patients with positive section margins, two had positive section margins at the spared side only. Unilateral nerve sparing surgery remains a feasible treatment option for prostate cancer.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

    F Van der Aa, S Joniau, D De Ridder & H Van Poppel

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  1. F Van der Aa
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  2. S Joniau
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  3. D De Ridder
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  4. H Van Poppel
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Correspondence to H Van Poppel.

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Van der Aa, F., Joniau, S., De Ridder, D. et al. Potency after unilateral nerve sparing surgery: a report on functional and oncological results of unilateral nerve sparing surgery. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 6, 61–65 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.pcan.4500626

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.pcan.4500626

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