Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of low-dose sildenafil (25 mg) for rehabilitation of erectile function after nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy.
Patients and methods: In a prospective study, 43 sexually active patients underwent nerve-sparing retropubic radical prostatectomy. Rigiscan® measurement of nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity (NPTR) was carried out 7-14 days after surgery. A group of 23 patients with preserved nocturnal erections received sildenafil 25 mg/day at night to support recovery of erectile function. A control group of 18 patients underwent follow-up without PDE-5 inhibitors. Evaluation using the IIEF-5 questionnaire was performed 6, 12, 24, 36, 52 and 78 weeks after the operation.
Results: Of 43 patients, 41 (95%) showed 1-5 erections during the first night after catheter removal. In the group receiving daily sildenafil, the mean IIEF-5 score decreased or increased from 20.8 preoperatively to 3.6 at 6 weeks, 3.8 at 12 weeks, 5.9 at 24 weeks, 9.6 at 36 weeks, 14.1 at 52 weeks and 19.3 at 78 weeks after prostatectomy. In the control group, the mean preoperative IIEF-5 score of 21.2 decreased or increased to 2.4 at 6 weeks, 3.8 at 12 weeks, 5.3 at 24 weeks, 6.4 at 36 weeks, 9.3 at 52 weeks and 13.2 at 78 weeks. Statistical evaluation showed significant differences regarding the IIEF-5 score and recovery period of erectile function between the groups (p<0.001), with potency rates of 92 vs 68%.
Conclusion: The measurement of NPTR after nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy showed erectile function as early as the first night after catheter removal. In cases of early penile erections, daily low-dose PDE-5 inhibitors lead to a significant improvement/acceleration of erectile function recovery.