RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY: RECOVERY OF SEXUAL FUNCTION

March 30th, 2009

Recovery of sexual function is related to the age of the patient, and to surgical technique. Ninety percent of men younger than 50 remain potent after surgery; -5 percent of men in their fifties; 60 percent of men in their sixties, and 2s percent of men in their seventies remain potent.

There are two tiny bundles of nerves, one on either side of the prostate, that are essential for erection. Sometimes, depending on the extent to which the cancer has spread, one or both of these bundles must be removed. Men can still be potent even if one — but not both—of these bundles is removed. In men over so, sexual potency is better in men who have both of these bundles preserved than in men who lose one bundle during surgery.

The men most likely to remain potent are younger, with disease confined to the prostate. These are also the men who are most likely to benefit from surgery.

Both the retropubic and perineal approaches are discussed in this chapter, as are all the possible complications and aftereffects you can expect, and ways to help you deal with them.