title: Erectile function after non-nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy: fact or fiction?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the potency in patients after radical perineal prostatectomy with wide excision of both neurovascular bundles.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective study, a quality-of-life questionnaire was completed by 128 patients at the preoperative stage, and 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Ten questions concerning the patient's sexuality were included on the pre- and both postoperative questionnaires. In addition, 6 patients who recorded some erectile function were sent a separate questionnaire containing eight more detailed questions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Preoperatively, 74/128 (57.8%) patients reported erections sufficient for sexual intercourse, and of these 74, 6 (8.1%) described having spontaneous erections 1 year postoperatively. These spontaneous erections occurred 1-5 times per week. The reply to the separate mailing made clear that the reported erections were insufficient for intercourse.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients undergoing standardized radical prostatectomy with wide excision of the neurovascular bundle have a very small chance of spontaneous erections sufficient for intercourse postoperatively.
authors.affiliation: Urological Clinic, University Clinic Aachen, Rheinisch-Westfalisch Technical University, Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Holger
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Borchers
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brehmer
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kirschner-Hermanns
authors.forename: Thorsten
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Reineke
authors.forename: Lothar
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tietze
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jakse
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011467:Prostate / Q000294:innervation / Q000601:surgery; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life