Deep Venous Thrombosis as a Complication of Reservoir Placement in Post-Prostatectomy Erectile Dysfunction and...

In 2014, most radical surgery for carcinoma of the prostate, and often the bladder, is done with the robotic-assisted laparoscopic approach. While proponents argue that nerve sparing, blood loss, and recovery times are improved with the robotic-assisted approach, changes in postoperative pelvic anatomy have made subsequent placement of inflatable devices for erectile dysfunction and incontinence more difficult. Because of the obliteration of the space of Retzius and opening of the peritoneum, the classic placement of the reservoirs of these devices is compromised.

Ectopic reservoir placement has attempted to alleviate these problems, but reservoir migration and problematic locations of these reservoirs persist.

We report two cases of deep venous thrombosis after reservoir placement for inflatable prosthetic devices.

Patients may manifest these placement problems with symptoms of vascular compromise postoperatively.

Early identification and reservoir relocation can eliminate the vascular issues and maintain inflatable device function. Selph JP, McKim SE, Langston JP, and Carson CC. Deep venous thrombosis as a complication of reservoir placement in post-prostatectomy erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence prosthetic surgery. Sex Med Rev 2014;2:59-63.