Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for recovery of erectile function after posterior urethral reconstruction.
OBJECTIVE
To prospectively study the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on the recovery of erectile function (EF) after posterior urethral reconstruction.


METHODS
Between August 2006 and March 2010, a total of 24 male patients with posterior urethral reconstruction and without erectile dysfunction (ED) before urethral stricture were involved in the study. Twelve of them were assigned to HBOT group that received HBOT, and the others comprised the control group. All 24 participants were asked to assess their EF pre-operatively and 3 months postoperatively by using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF).


RESULTS
All 24 participants completed the study. The total IIEF scores and scores in two domains of IIEF (erectile function (EF) and overall satisfaction (OS) domain) were significantly lower than the preoperative baseline scores in HBOT group (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, a significant decrease in the total IIEF scores and scores in three domains of IIEF (EF, OS and intercourse satisfaction (IS) domain) was observed in control group (P < 0.05). However, at 3 months postoperatively, the total IIEF scores and scores in three domains of IIEF (EF, OS and IS domain) after HBOT were significantly higher in HBOT group than in control group (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
These preliminary results suggest that HBOT may be effective for improving EF recovery after posterior urethral reconstruction.
Department of Urology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 410011 Changsha, Hunan, China.
Jun-Bin
JB
Yuan
Luo-Yan
LY
Yang
Yin-Huai
YH
Wang
Tao
T
Ding
Tie-Ding
TD
Chen
Qiang
Q
Lu
D000328:Adult; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation; D008297:Male; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000502:physiology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014525:Urethral Stricture / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult