Erythropoietin promotes erection recovery after nerve-sparing radical retropubic prostatectomy: A retrospective analysis

Arthur L. Burnett, Mohamad E. Allaf, Trinity J. Bivalacqua

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction. Erectile dysfunction persists as a major functional complication of nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy. Aim. To evaluate retrospectively the potential benefit of erythropoietin administration to improve erectile function recovery following radical prostatectomy. Methods. Preoperatively potent patients who underwent nerve-sparing radical retropubic prostatectomy between March 2005 and February 2006 elected to receive erythropoietin treatment (40,000IU subcutaneously, single injection on their preoperative day; treatment group, N = 15). A contemporaneous clinically matched cohort comprising patients who elected postoperative standard surveillance only served for comparison (control group, N=21). Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor "on-demand"use was applied. Potency evaluations were monitored by International Index of Erectile Function-5 questionnaires administered preoperatively and at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Main Outcome Measure. Erection recovery. Results. Health comorbidities as well as erectile function status were demonstrated to be no different between groups at baseline. Erythropoietin-treated patients demonstrated significantly higher postoperative International Index of Erectile Function-5 questionnaire scores than control group patients at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively with or without use of PDE5 inhibitors (P < 0.05). At 12 months postoperatively, the percentages of patients performing sexual activity were 87% and 68% of erythropoietin-treated and control patients, respectively (P = 0.213), although the erythropoietin-treated patients had a significantly greater ability to perform sexual intercourse with minimal or no difficulty (P < 0.05). Conclusion. Erythropoietin administration on the preoperative day before undergoing nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy in men reporting normal erectile function preoperatively may confer improved erectile function recovery postoperatively.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2392-2398
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Sexual Medicine
Volume5
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - 2008

Keywords

  • Cavernous Nerve
  • Erectile Dysfunction
  • Neuroprotection
  • Neurotrophic
  • Penile Rehabilitation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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