A pilot study on the early use of the vacuum erection device after radical retropubic prostatectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of the early use of the vacuum erection device (VED) on erectile dysfunction (ED) and penile shortening after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RP), as these are important concerns for men choosing among treatment alternatives for localized prostate cancer.


METHODS
Twenty-eight men undergoing RP were randomized to early intervention (1 month after RP, group 1) or a control group (6 months after RP, group 2) using a traditional VED protocol. An International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) score of >11 (no, mild or mild to moderate ED) was required as a baseline criterion for inclusion in the study. Only patients in whom unilateral or bilateral nerves were spared were subsequently randomized. Patients in group 1 followed a daily rehabilitation protocol consisting of 10 min/day using the VED with no constriction ring, for 5 months. Patients were evaluated with the IIEF-5 questionnaire and measurements of penile flaccid length, stretched length, prepubic fat pad, and midshaft circumference before and at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after RP; the mean (range) last follow-up visit was 9.5 (6-12) months after RP.


RESULTS
The mean (sd) baseline IIEF scores were similar in groups 1 and 2, at 21.1 (4.6) and 22.3 (3.3), respectively (P = 0.54). The IIEF scores were significantly higher in group 1 than group 2 at 3 months, at 11.5 (9.4) vs 1.8 (1.4) (P = 0.008) and at 6 months, at 12.4 (8.7) vs 3.0 (1.9) (P = 0.012) after RP. There were no significant changes in penile flaccid length, prepubic fat pad, or mid-shaft circumference in either group. Stretched penile length was significantly decreased at both 3 and 6 months, by approximately 2 cm (P = 0.013) in group 2. By contrast, stretched penile length was preserved in group 1 at all sample times. At the last follow-up, the proportion of men with a mean loss of penile length of >/= 2 cm was significantly lower in group 1 than group 2 (two/17, 12%, vs five/11, P = 0.044).


CONCLUSIONS
Initiating the use of a VED protocol at 1 month after RP improves early sexual function and helps to preserve penile length.
Köhler
Tobias S
TS
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Pedro
Renato
R
Hendlin
Kari
K
Utz
William
W
Ugarte
Roland
R
Reddy
Pratap
P
Makhlouf
Antoine
A
Ryndin
Igor
I
Canales
Benjamin K
BK
Weiland
Derek
D
Nakib
Nissrine
N
Ramani
Anup
A
Anderson
J Kyle
JK
Monga
Manoj
M
D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000502:physiology*; D015917:Penile Prosthesis; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014618:Vacuum