Urolog. pro Praxi, 2009; 10(6): 328-331

Erectile dysfunction after pelvic floor operation. Current therapy - penile rehabilitation

MUDr. Martin Sutorý, CSc

Klinika Traumatologie LF MU se Spinální jednotkou v Úrazové nemocnici v Brně

Because of the damage to the neurovascular pathways after pelvic floor operation, patients lose their natural nocturnal erections. This

results in decrease in average pO2 tension of the penis tissue and in fast development of fibrosis, which is the cause of venous leak that

fixates erectile dysfunction. Penile rehabilitation, for which there are no fixed rules yet, is designed to increase pO2 in the penis so that the

penile tissue is maintained until spontaneous erection occurs. Chronic dosing of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (iPDE5) is commonly

used as the basis of therapy. Intracavernously applied prostaglandin E1 (PGE-1) is a possible alternative or a method of choice in patiens

with complete denervation. Combination with statins (Atorvastatin) decreases the costs of therapy. Despite the enthusiasm about penile

rehabilitation therapy, current scientific evidence based on clinical trials is still limited.

Keywords: penis rehabilitation, erectile dysfunction, radical prostatectomy, low anterior rectal resection.

Published: January 1, 2010  Show citation