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Updated: Jul 18, 2026
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Cavernous Nerve Stimulation and Recording of Intracavernous Pressure in a Rat
Published on: April 23, 2018
[Cavernous nerve reconstruction to restore erectile function following radical prostatectomy]
Lu-Jie Song1, Lian-Jun Pan, Yue-Min Xu
1Department of Urology, Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200233, China. lsjurology@126.com
Zhonghua Nan Ke Xue = National Journal of Andrology
|November 24, 2006
Summary
Prostate cancer surgery can cause erectile dysfunction due to nerve damage. Reconstructing these cavernous nerves, potentially with biodegradable grafts, may restore function.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Nerve Surgery
Context:
- Increasing incidence of prostate cancer (PCa), particularly in younger men.
- Radical prostatectomy frequently leads to post-operative erectile dysfunction due to cavernous nerve damage.
- Current clinical approaches for nerve repair show modest success.
Purpose:
- To explore strategies for reconstructing cavernous nerves damaged during radical prostatectomy.
- To evaluate the potential of nerve grafts in restoring erectile function after PCa surgery.
- To review advancements in biodegradable conduits for nerve repair.
Summary:
- Autologous sural nerve grafts have shown modest success in bridging transected cavernous nerves.
- Laparoscopic sural nerve grafting is a safe and feasible technique during radical prostatectomy.
- Biodegradable conduits with growth factors or cells represent a promising avenue for cavernous nerve repair in animal models.
Impact:
- Potential to restore erectile function in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy.
- Advancement in surgical techniques for prostate cancer treatment.
- Development of novel biomaterials for peripheral nerve regeneration.
