OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy and safety of vacuum erection device (VED) for erectile dysfunction (ED) after radical prostatectomy (RP).

METHODSSix cases of ED after open RP were reviewed. Three of the patients started a daily rehabilitation protocol using VED 10 min/d within 3 months after RP (group A, early intervention), while the other 3 initiated the same protocol after 12 months (group B, late intervention). We compared the IIEF-5 scores as well as stretched penile lengths and mid-shaft circumferences before and after 3 and 6 months of VED rehabilitation. We also assessed the safety of the device and sexual satisfaction of the patients and their partners.

RESULTSThe mean IIEF-5 score of the six cases was remarkably increased at 3 and 6 months of VED rehabilitation (P < 0.05), significantly higher in group A than in B at 3 months (8.7 +/- 0.6 vs 6.7 +/- 0.6, P < 0.05) and 6 months (13.0 +/- 1.0 vs 8.3 +/- 1.5, P < 0.05). After 6 months of VED rehabilitation, there were no significant changes in stretched penile length or mid-shaft circumference in group A, both significantly decreased in group B (P < 0.05), and sexual satisfaction of the patients and their partners were 83.3% and 50%, respectively. No serious adverse events were observed except mild complaint of pe- nile skin darkening in 1 case and numb feeling during the intercourse in 2.

CONCLUSIONEarly use of VED after RP improves erectile function and helps to preserve the length and mid-shaft circumference of the penis.

Erectile Dysfunction ; etiology ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Penile Erection ; Prostatectomy ; adverse effects ; rehabilitation ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; rehabilitation ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Vacuum

OBJECTIVETo investigate the characteristics of erectile dysfunction (ED) in old males with lacunar infarction.

METHODSA total of 38 old patients ages from 60 to 70 years were involved. The questionnaire of international index of erectile function 5 (IIEF -5) was used to determine the status and severity of ED. According to the focus of infarction on MRI, the patients were divided into two groups, Group I with lacunar infarction and minor neurological deficits, and Group II with none. The total IIEF-5 scores were compared between the two groups and repeatedly evaluated six months after discharge.

RESULTSAccording to the total scores of IIEF-5, the prevalence of ED in Group II (95%) was higher, and the incidence of severe ED was significantly increased (60.0% vs. 44.4%, P < 0.05) as compared with Group II. In both the two groups, severe ED was more often seen in diabetic patients. At six months after discharge, the total scores of IIEF-5 were significantly increased (11.2 +/- 3.2 vs. 15.6 +/- 2.2, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONED is significantly increased in old males with lacunar infarction, and it is more severe in diabetic patients. Post-stroke rehabilitation care helps to improve ED.

Aged ; Brain Infarction ; complications ; rehabilitation ; Diabetes Complications ; Erectile Dysfunction ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Penile Erection ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common male disease. Some related studies show that the prevalence of ED is nearly 52% in men aged 40 to 70 years and is increasing among younger males. Hypoxia is now considered to be an independent risk factor for ED and the mechanisms of hypoxia inducing ED are varied and complicated. Recently, an idea in penile rehabilitation has attracted much attention, which aims at improving erectile function by increasing oxygen supply to the cavernosum and reducing tissue fibrosis and apoptosis. The approaches to achieve non-sexual penile erection by increasing oxygen supply to the cavernosum, such as behavior therapy, medication, vacuum constriction device, and intracavernous injection, can simulate normal sexual erection and help patients with penile rehabilitation. This review focuses on the strategies for non-sexual penile erection in penile rehabilitation.
Adult ; Aged ; Erectile Dysfunction ; epidemiology ; etiology ; rehabilitation ; Humans ; Hypoxia ; complications ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oxygen ; administration & dosage ; Penile Erection ; Penis ; blood supply ; Risk Factors

AIMTo report a short-time result of three-piece inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) implantation on treating patients with organic erectile dysfunction (ED).

METHODSThree-piece IPPs were implanted in 42 Chinese patients with ED refractory to systemic treatment between May 2002 and May 2004. The etiologies of ED were neurogenic (28 with paraplegia and seven with traumatic nervi-erigentes injury); congenital venous leakage (5 cases), fibrosis of corpus cavernosum (1case) and Klinefelter's syndrome (1 case). The follow-up period ranged from 24 to 57 months.

RESULTSImplantation procedures were successfully performed upon all 42 patients. The length of implanted prosthesis was from 13 cm to 18 cm, and the diameter was 1 cm. The implanted prosthesis was made by the Medical Instrumentation Company of Muping (Muping, Shandong, China). Localized infection occurred in only one patient and mechanical complications occurred in five patients. Coitus could be performed in 41 cases (97.6%). Three patients with congenital venous leakage made their spouses pregnant after implantation.

CONCLUSIONImplantation of three-piece IPP is an effective and safe modality for treating patients with ED. It can be well accepted by Chinese patients because of its efficacy.

Erectile Dysfunction ; etiology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Paraplegia ; rehabilitation ; Penile Prosthesis ; Postoperative Period ; Pregnancy ; Retrospective Studies ; Surgical Procedures, Operative ; Treatment Outcome

Although disease-free survival remains the primary goal of prostate cancer treatment, erectile dysfunction (ED) remains a common complication that affects the quality of life. Even though several preventive and therapeutic strategies are available for ED after radical prostatectomy (RP), no specific recommendations have been made on the optimal rehabilitation or treatment strategy. Several treatment options are available, including phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, vacuum erection devices, intracavernosal or intraurethral prostaglandin injections, and penile prostheses. Urologists must consider more effective ways to establish optimal treatments for ED after RP. ED is an important issue among patients with prostate cancer, and many patients hope for early ED recovery after surgery. This review highlights the currently available treatment options for ED after RP and discusses the limitations of each.
Alprostadil/therapeutic use ; Erectile Dysfunction/etiology/*rehabilitation ; Humans ; Male ; Penile Implantation ; Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors/therapeutic use ; Prostatectomy/*adverse effects/rehabilitation ; Prostatic Neoplasms/*surgery ; Risk Factors ; Vacuum ; Vasodilator Agents/therapeutic use

Prostate cancer, bladder cancer, and rectal cancer are common malignancies in the male pelvis. The incidence rate of erectile dysfunction (ED) following radical prostatectomy, cystectomy or rectal cancer surgery is about 25% - 100%. The main cause of post-surgery ED is mainly attributed to injury of neurovascular bundles, which may lead to reduced oxygenation in and fibrosis of the penile tissue. Early penile rehabilitation after surgery can improve or restore the erectile function of the patients. This article focuses on penile rehabilitation after radical pelvic surgery.
Cystectomy ; Erectile Dysfunction ; etiology ; rehabilitation ; Humans ; Male ; Pelvic Neoplasms ; surgery ; Penile Erection ; Penis ; Postoperative Complications ; rehabilitation ; Postoperative Period ; Prostatectomy ; adverse effects ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; surgery ; Rectal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; surgery

The concept of muscle rehabilitation after nerve injury is not a novel idea and is practiced in many branches of medicine, including urology. Bladder rehabilitation after spinal cord injury is universally practiced. The erectile dysfunction (ED) experienced after radical prostatectomy (RP) is increasingly recognized as being primarily neurogenic followed by secondary penile smooth muscle (SM) changes. There is unfortunately no standard approach to penile rehabilitation after RP because controlled prospective human studies are not available. This article reviews the epidemiology, experimental pathophysiological models, rationale for penile rehabilitation, and currently published rehabilitation strategies.
Alprostadil ; administration & dosage ; Animals ; Erectile Dysfunction ; etiology ; rehabilitation ; Humans ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth ; physiopathology ; Penile Erection ; physiology ; Penis ; innervation ; Peripheral Nerve Injuries ; Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors ; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors ; administration & dosage ; Prostatectomy ; adverse effects

The vacuum erectile device (VED) uses negative pressure to increase blood inflow into the corpora cavernosum, with a ring at the base of the penis to maintain erection for intercourse or without a ring for penile rehabilitation. Owing to the limitation of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PDE5I) shown in the treatment of refractory erectile dysfunction (ED), the use of VED has resurged and is becoming the first line therapy in the treatment of ED following radical prostatectomy (RP). Currently, the combination therapy of VED with PDE5I and that of VED with intracavernous injection are advocated for post-RP ED. Hereby, we review the role of VED in penile rehabilitation, its underlying mechanisms, and the combination therapies for it.
Coitus ; Combined Modality Therapy ; methods ; Erectile Dysfunction ; drug therapy ; etiology ; rehabilitation ; Humans ; Male ; Penile Prosthesis ; Penis ; blood supply ; Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Prostatectomy ; adverse effects ; Regional Blood Flow ; Vacuum