Penile rehabilitation following treatment for prostate cancer: An analysis of the current state of the art

Abstract

Despite recent advances in surgical technique using laparoscopic and robotic approaches for the management of early organconfined prostate cancer, most contemporary reports demonstrate significant rates of erectile dysfunction comparable to standard open approaches. Controversy remains related to many of the preand postoperative management strategies, including agents to enhance inerve recovery, erectogenic drugs, antioxidants, vasoactive injectables, vacuum erection devices and inerve grafting procedures. Additionally, the optimal timing of these interventions and their duration, dose, frequency and outcome thresholds remain ill-defined. In our paper, we provide a comprehensive literature review involving both the basic and clinical data surrounding rehabilitative approaches.