Factors affecting erectile function after radical prostatectomy.

INTRODUCTION Radical retropubic prostatectomy is a therapeutic option for treatment of localized prostate cancer. The goal of radical prostatectomy is to completely remove the tumor while preserving erectile function and urinary continence as well as factors that determine the postoperative quality of life. There are many factors influencing sexual function after radical prostatectomy of localized prostate cancer. All factors can be divided into the preoperative, postoperative and intraoperative. In this paper we examine the significance of individual factors affecting erectile dysfunction following surgical treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study included 36 patients who underwent nerve sparing radical prostatectomy at the Urology Clinic, Clinical Center of Sarajevo University in period from January 2009 until December 2010. RESULTS Out of 84 patients tested, radical retropubic prostatectomy with the reservation of neurovascular bundles was performed in 36 patients (42.8%). Of this number, both of the neurovascular bundles were preserved in 28 patients (77.7%) and one in 8 patients (22.2%). CONCLUSION The positive predictive factor for erectile function after radical retropubic prostatectomy is the preoperative sexual function, younger age, preservation of both neurovascular bundles and early rehabilitation therapy.