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Sildenafil citrate after radical retropubic prostatectomy
B H Lowentritt1, P T Scardino, B J Miles
1Scott Department of Urology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.
The Journal of Urology
|October 19, 1999
Summary
Sildenafil improved erectile function in over half of men post-prostatectomy. Baseline erectile function, influenced by nerve-sparing techniques, significantly impacts treatment success with sildenafil.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Sexual Medicine
- Oncology
Background:
- Radical retropubic prostatectomy can lead to persistent erectile dysfunction.
- Nerve-sparing techniques aim to preserve erectile function but are not always successful.
- Sildenafil is a widely used treatment for erectile dysfunction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of sildenafil in treating erectile dysfunction after radical retropubic prostatectomy.
- To identify factors influencing patient response to sildenafil treatment.
Main Methods:
- 84 men with post-prostatectomy erectile dysfunction received sildenafil.
- The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire assessed erectile function before and after treatment.
- Patient age, time since surgery, nerve-sparing degree, and baseline erectile function were analyzed.
Main Results:
- 53% of patients reported improved erections and 40% improved intercourse ability with sildenafil.
- Mean IIEF erectile function score increased significantly (9 to 14, p <0.001).
- Higher baseline erectile function and greater nerve sparing significantly predicted better sildenafil response.
Conclusions:
- Sildenafil effectively improves erectile function and intercourse capability in over half of men post-radical retropubic prostatectomy.
- Pre-treatment erectile function, linked to nerve-sparing success, is a key predictor of sildenafil efficacy.