title: Erectile dysfunction post-radical prostatectomy - a challenge for both patient and physician.
abstract: Post-radical prostatectomy erectile dysfunction (post RP ED) is a major postoperative complication with a great impact on the quality of life of the patients. Until present, no proper algorithm or guideline based on the clinical trials has been established for the management of post RP ED. According to literature, it is better to initiate a penile rehabilitation program as soon as possible after surgery than doing nothing, in order to prevent and limit the postoperative local hypoxygenation and fibrosis. The results of numerous clinical trials regarding the effectiveness of the phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors therapy on post RP ED have made them the gold standard treatment. Encouraging results have been achieved in studies with vacuum erectile devices, intraurethral suppositories with alprostadil and intracavernosal injections, but due to their side effects, especially in the cases of intracavernosal injections and intraurethral suppositories, their clinical use was limited therefore making them a second line option for the post RP ED treatment. What should not be forgotten is that penile implant prosthesis has proven very effective, numerous studies confirming high rates of satisfaction for both patients and partners.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, "Dr. Carol Davila" Central Military Universitary Emergency Hospital, Bucharest, Romania ; Clinical Department No. 3, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bratu
authors.affiliation: Intensive Care Unit, "Dr. Carol Davila" Central Military Universitary Emergency Hospital Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Oprea
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, "Dr. Carol Davila" Central Military Universitary Emergency Hospital, Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Marcu
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, "Dr. Carol Davila" Central Military Universitary Emergency Hospital, Bucharest, Romania ; Clinical Department No. 3, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Spinu
authors.affiliation: Clinical Department No. 3, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest, Romania ; Department of Nephrology and Dialysis, "Sf. Ioan" Clinical Emergency Hospital Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Niculae
authors.affiliation: Clinical Department No. 3, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest, Romania ; Department of Urology, "Sf. Ioan" Clinical Emergency Hospital Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Geavlete
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, "Dr. Carol Davila" Central Military Universitary Emergency Hospital, Bucharest, Romania ; Clinical Department No. 3, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mischianu
mesh_terms: D000527:Alprostadil / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015917:Penile Prosthesis; D058986:Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010820:Physicians; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D058986:Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors; D000527:Alprostadil
keywords: erectile dysfunction; intraurethral suppositories; penile implant prosthesis; phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors; vacuum erectile devices