Abstract
Objective
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is one of the most common complications of radical prostatectomy (RP), and seriously affecting the quality of life for patients after RP. At present, more and more doctors and patients increasingly accept and use penile rehabilitation therapies to treat ED post-RP. Among them, the vacuum erectile device (VED), a non-invasive means, can improve hypoxia within the penis and inhibit smooth muscle cell apoptosis and cavernous fibrosis. We summarize the efficacy of VED for treatment of ED after RP, and investigate patient compliance and satisfaction.
Methods
One group of 259 patients undergoing RP, including 143 cases of open RP, 116 cases of laparoscopic RP. All patients used VED (Osbon, Timm Medical, Inc.) for rehabilitation within 3 months after RP. Another group undergoing RP but not using VED was control. IIEF-5 scores, length and circumference of penis and SEP3 percentage were compared between these groups before and after RP. The compliance of VED and satisfaction for rehabilitation were also compared.
Results
The IIEF-5 score after 6 months rehabilitation was significantly higher in the patients using VED than that in the controls (P<0.05).The shortening of penile length and circumference after VED were also significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.05). The average length using VED was 10 months (1-18 months), and IIEF-5 score and penile length and circumference were higher in those using VED more than 1 year than those using less than six months (P<0.05). The SEP3 and satisfaction rate were significantly higher in 172 cases undergoing neurovascular-bundle-sparing RP than controls (P<0.05).
Conclusions
The early use of VED rehabilitation can improve erectile function for RP patients, help to preserve the length and reduce the shrinkage of penis. Long-term use of VED can have better results.
Keywords: Erectile dysfunction (ED), radical prostatectomy (RP), vacuum erectile device (VED)