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Updated: Aug 21, 2026
Murine Kidney Transplant Technique
Published on: October 20, 2015
Effect of the use of internal iliac artery for renal transplantation on penile vascularity and erectile function: a
Magdy Salama El-Bahnasawy1, Ahmed El-Assmy, Ahmed Dawood
1Urology and Nephrology Center, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.
Insights
Renal transplantation using the internal iliac artery generally does not negatively impact erectile function. While penile blood flow may decrease, it does not compromise sexual health in patients without vascular risk factors.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Nephrology
- Vascular Surgery
Background:
- Chronic renal failure (CRF) affects overall health, including sexual function.
- Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common comorbidity in patients with CRF.
- Renal transplantation is a treatment for CRF, but its impact on sexual health requires investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively evaluate the effects of renal transplantation utilizing the internal iliac artery on erectile function.
- To assess changes in penile hemodynamics following renal transplantation.
Main Methods:
- Study included 50 patients with CRF undergoing renal transplantation with internal iliac artery revascularization.
- Patients were assessed pre- and post-transplantation (6-month follow-up) using medical history, International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire, physical examination, lab tests, and penile color duplex ultrasonography.
- Vascular risk factors were excluded in the patient cohort.
Main Results:
- Pre-transplantation ED prevalence was 28%, decreasing to 26% post-transplantation.
- IIEF scores showed no significant change except for sexual desire.
- Penile arterial blood flow in cavernous arteries significantly decreased post-transplantation (p <0.05), but without compromising erectile function.
Conclusions:
- Renal transplantation has variable effects on erectile function, with no majority negative impact.
- Unilateral internal iliac artery interruption in renal transplantation can reduce penile arterial blood flow.
- This reduction in blood flow does not typically compromise erectile function in patients without vascular comorbidities.
Purpose:
We determined the effects of the use of internal iliac artery for renal transplantation on erectile function and penile hemodynamics in prospective fashion.
Materials And Methods:
The study comprised 50 patients with chronic renal failure on hemodialysis without associated vascular risk factors. All patients were evaluated before and after renal transplantation with 6-month followup. All grafts were revascularized with end-to-end anastomosis to the right internal iliac artery. Before and after transplantation the patients were evaluated by detailed history, including the International Index of Erectile Function, clinical examination, laboratory investigations and pharmacodynamic penile color duplex ultrasonography.
Results:
Erectile dysfunction was reported by 28% of the patients with chronic renal failure. This incidence becomes 26% after transplantation. Based on questionnaires post-transplantation erectile function compared to pre-transplant status was improved, deteriorated or remained static in 40%, 18% and 42% of transplant recipients, respectively. The International Index of Erectile Function showed no differences between pre-transplantation and posttransplantation sexual function except in the domain of sexual desire. In comparison to preoperative penile indices, there was a significant decrease in penile arterial blood flow in the 2 cavernous arteries (p <0.05). However, none of the patients had penile arterial insufficiency.
Conclusions:
Renal transplantation has varying effects on erectile function. In the majority of cases it has no negative effect on the quality of erection. In the absence of associated vascular risk factors unilateral interruption of the internal iliac artery decreases arterial penile blood flow but not to a degree that compromise erectile function.
