Intracavernous injection in the treatment of erectile dysfunction after radical prostatectomy: an observational study

CONTEXT: Despite the recent improvements in performing radical retropubic prostatectomy that have led to a considerable decrease in the complication rate, erectile dysfunction still represents a major problem. Moreover, less invasive treatment options that are emerging for erectile dysfunction have not shown satisfactory results in managing these patients. OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy and side effects of self-injection therapy in the treatment of men who had become impotent after undergoing radical prostatectomy due to prostate cancer, over a study period of 96 months. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: University Referral Center. PARTICIPANTS: 168 patients with erectile dysfunction, aged 43 to 78 years old, who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy due to localized prostate cancer. PROCEDURES: The patients were treated with self-injection therapy using papaverine, phentolamine and prostaglandin E1, at home. RESULTS: This study showed an acceptable 94.6% success rate, with no life-threatening complications. In addition to this, our series presented a 13.1% cure rate with this therapy. CONCLUSION: Self-injection therapy with papaverine, phentolamine and prostaglandin E1 is effective and safe in the treatment of erectile dysfunction after radical prostatectomy.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Claro,Joaquim de Almeida, Aboim,José Elêrton de, Maríngolo,Marcelo, Andrade,Enrico, Aguiar,Wilson, Nogueira,Marcos, Nardozza Júnior,Archimedes, Srougi,Miguel
Format:	Digital revista
Language:	English
Published:	Associação Paulista de Medicina - APM 2001
Online Access:	http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1516-31802001000400004
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