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Updated: Feb 22, 2026
Isolation of Adipose Derived Regenerative Cells for the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction Following Radical Prostatectomy
Published on: December 28, 2021
Topical alprostadil (Vitaros©) in the treatment of erectile dysfunction after non-nerve-sparing robot-assisted
Pier Andrea Della Camera1, Simone Morselli1, Gianmartin Cito1
11 Department of Urology, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence - Italy.
Objective:
The aim of the study is the evaluation of the efficacy and safety of the treatment with topical alprostadil (Vitaros©) in post-robot assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) rehabilitation therapy of patients with erectile dysfunction (ED).
Methods:
Seventy-four patients were enrolled and underwent non-nerve-sparing RARP.
Inclusion Criteria:
age <75, preoperatively International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) >16, erection hardness score (EHS) ⩾2, weekly sexual intercourse ⩾1, affirmative answers to Sexual Encounter Profile Question (SEP-Q) 2 and SEP-Q3, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) ⩽5, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status ⩽1, no moderate/severe cardiovascular disease.
Results:
Vitaros was administered ⩾2 twice a week. At month 6, the IIEF-5 decreased from 20.5 preoperative to 18.1 post-treatment. EHS score decreased from a mean of 3.3 to a mean of 3.0. The quality of life score decreased from an average of 5.1 to 2.3. Weekly sexual intercourse decreased from an average of 2.1 to 1.7. Six patients dropped out; 89.7% patients showed a positive SEP-Q2 and 77.8% a positive SEP-Q3. All patients responded positively to Global Assessment Questions (GAQ)-1 and 97% to GAQ-2. Of all 68 analyzed patients, 13 (17.6%) switched to intracavernous injection therapy.
Conclusions:
In conclusion, Vitaros may become a viable alternative to common injective therapies in well-selected patients after RARP.
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