Management of erectile dysfunction after radical prostatectomy

The objective of a radical prostectomy is to cure cancer of the prostate white preserving the best quality of life of patients. Changes in the quality of erections after the operation pose the greatest problems as far as sexuality is concerned. This is the consequence of lesions of the cavernous nerves during the lateral dissection of the prostate, which are sometimes definitive. The treatment of erectile dysfunction after radical prostectomy begins with an evaluation of the sexuality of the patient who is informed of the consequences of surgery before operating. Specialized physiotherapy should be proposed to patients in the 2 to 3 months following the intervention. Should this treatment prove to be unsuccessful, patients are treated using classical therapy for erectile dysfunction. In the case of patient transfer and delegation of competences, consultation between the doctor and clinical nurses is advised throughout treatment. (C) 2009 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.