Perplexity of penile rehabilitation following radical prostatectomy

Abstract

Radical prostatectomy has significantly improved prostate cancer survival rates but continues to have a negative impact on the patient’s erectile function (EF). In attempts to improve erectile dysfunction (ED), clinicians have incorporated different treatment modalities to restore EF. Penile rehabilitation consists of understanding the mechanisms that affect post-prostatectomy EF and utilizing pharmacologic agents, devices, and interventions to promote the male sexual function. This article aims to summarize the available scientific research involving penile rehabilitation. Even though the current literature lacks to prove its irrefutable effectiveness, penile rehabilitation has a positive impact at the molecular and cellular levels, and it is widely adopted in clinic practices.© 2019 by Turkish Association of Urology.