Evidence for Erection Recovery After Radical Prostatectomy
Evidence for Erection Recovery After Radical Prostatectomy
VED therapy provides an altogether different ED-specific therapeutic approach for erection rehabilitation, by mechanically inducing "negative-pressure" as a means to draw blood into the penis. Several protocols using VED daily post-RP have been reported under the contention that this treatment favorably preserves EF. In one study, 35 of 36 compliant patients did not show penile shrinkage (>1 cm) at 3 months after RP. In another study, IIEF scores were significantly higher and stretched penile length was preserved in the intervention group compared with the control group at 3 and 6 months after RP. In a further study, utilizing a prospective randomized study design in 109 men, 17% of patients treated with VED vs. 29% of controls reported spontaneous erections sufficient for sexual intercourse at 9 months after nerve-sparing RP and there was a substantial dropout rate (18% at 3 months into treatment). These studies broadly suggest the possible erection rehabilitative benefit of VED therapy. However, the firmness of such a conclusion is restrained based on study limitations including imperfect control groups, small patient populations, relatively short-term follow-up assessments, lack of an intention-to-treat analysis, and indirect evidence of EF recovery benefit.
Mechanical Therapy
VED therapy provides an altogether different ED-specific therapeutic approach for erection rehabilitation, by mechanically inducing "negative-pressure" as a means to draw blood into the penis. Several protocols using VED daily post-RP have been reported under the contention that this treatment favorably preserves EF. In one study, 35 of 36 compliant patients did not show penile shrinkage (>1 cm) at 3 months after RP. In another study, IIEF scores were significantly higher and stretched penile length was preserved in the intervention group compared with the control group at 3 and 6 months after RP. In a further study, utilizing a prospective randomized study design in 109 men, 17% of patients treated with VED vs. 29% of controls reported spontaneous erections sufficient for sexual intercourse at 9 months after nerve-sparing RP and there was a substantial dropout rate (18% at 3 months into treatment). These studies broadly suggest the possible erection rehabilitative benefit of VED therapy. However, the firmness of such a conclusion is restrained based on study limitations including imperfect control groups, small patient populations, relatively short-term follow-up assessments, lack of an intention-to-treat analysis, and indirect evidence of EF recovery benefit.