[Erectile rehabilitation after radical prostatectomy]

Abstract

The concept of penile rehabilitation involves the procedures designed to improve oxygen delivery the penile erectile tissue to minimized tissue damage during the period of neural recovery following radical prostatectomy. Many basic research studies support the rationale and mechanism of the concept of penile rehabilitation, however they are few clinical studies in the literature that provide a clear medical evidence of its efficacy in patients. Waiting for new data, it is recommended to propose to the patients, following a radical prostatectomy, an active pharmacological penile rehabilitation. This rehabilitation involves counselling with the couple to have regular sexual activities, ideally 1 to 3 times a week. Penile erections could be induced by intracavernosal injections of PGE1 or improved by using PDE5 inhibitors on demand. The results of daily use of PDE5 inhibitor are conflicting and then it cannot be recommended systematically waiting for new data. The rehabilitation could be maintained for about 2 years as results improve with time.