title: [Erectile disfunction after non nerve-sparing radical pelvic surgery].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The patients who undergo radical pelvic surgery often found that sexual function is impaired. In this research hypothesis, we evaluated the efficacy of alternative therapy to conventional PGE 1 injections, such as the association of Sildenafil and L-Arginine. This association in based on the principle that L-Arginine, the precursor of nitric oxide, improves the effect of Sildenafil, which is effective in the presence of nitric oxide.
  
  
  METHODS
  The experimental plan was to make a comparative study of 2 random groups of patients selected from those undergoing radical cystectomies and prostatectomies over the past three years. 116 patients were illegible (64 prostatectomies and 52 cystectomies). The fìrst random group was treated with Sildenafil alone and the second with Sildenafil and L-Arginine. The efficacy of treatment was evaluated by the Buckling test (pressure threshold of cavernous flexation at penile axial rigidity) once-after ambulatorial administration and then by telephonic interview (subjective evaluation) after home administration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The starter dose was 50 mg and was inefficient in both groups (Buckling test between 0 and 250). 100-mg doses gave significant results (Buckling test > 500) in both groups, especially the second. Cardiopathic patients, diabetics and patients with retinal disorders were excluded from the study. The mean age of patients was 65 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The resumption of relatively satisfactory sexual activity was demonstrated using non-invasive pharmacological treatment.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Urologia, IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mantovani
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Patelli
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Colombo
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pozzoni
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Confalonieri
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pisani
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001120:Arginine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010385:Pelvic Exenteration / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011687:Purines; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D013450:Sulfones
chemical_list: D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D010879:Piperazines; D011687:Purines; D013450:Sulfones; D001120:Arginine; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate