Erectile function after non-nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy: fact or fiction?

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the potency in patients after radical perineal prostatectomy with wide excision of both neurovascular bundles.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In this prospective study, a quality-of-life questionnaire was completed by 128 patients at the preoperative stage, and 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Ten questions concerning the patient's sexuality were included on the pre- and both postoperative questionnaires. In addition, 6 patients who recorded some erectile function were sent a separate questionnaire containing eight more detailed questions.

RESULTS

Preoperatively, 74/128 (57.8%) patients reported erections sufficient for sexual intercourse, and of these 74, 6 (8.1%) described having spontaneous erections 1 year postoperatively. These spontaneous erections occurred 1-5 times per week. The reply to the separate mailing made clear that the reported erections were insufficient for intercourse.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients undergoing standardized radical prostatectomy with wide excision of the neurovascular bundle have a very small chance of spontaneous erections sufficient for intercourse postoperatively.