Penile prosthesis aids life quality after prostatectomy

Simultaneous placement of a penile prosthesis in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy appears to improve quality of life and erectile function, according to Massachusetts-based researchers.

As senior investigator Dr. William C. DeWolf told Reuters Health, “Surgery for prostate cancer is often associated with postoperative sexual dysfunction. One of the options that has been successful is immediate sexual rehabilitation with placement of a penile prosthesis at the time of radical surgery. This is especially appropriate for individuals who are not eligible or for whom a nerve-sparing procedure is not ideal.”As reported in the October issue of the Journal of Urology, Dr. DeWolf of Boston University and colleagues surveyed 51 men who had undergone the dual procedure a mean of about 5 years earlier and 47 comparable men who had had radical prostatectomy alone. The men who had had the penile prosthesis implanted reported greater overall quality of life, erectile function and more frequent sexual contact than those who did not have the prosthesis.Moreover, the prosthesis patients had better depression, anxiety and emotional scores than a subgroup of 15 men who had undergone nerve-sparing surgery.The findings, the research conclude, emphasize “the key role that sexual rehabilitation has in quality of life following treatment for prostate cancer.”(Source: J Urol 2005;174:1395-1398: Reuters Health: David Douglas: Oncolink: November 2005.)