Sural nerve graft during non-nerve-sparing radical retropubic prostatectomy restores erectile function in patients with locally advanced prostate cancer.
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- Perrotte, P; Babaian, R J; Wood, C G
- Source
- Prostate Cancer & Prostatic Diseases. 2000 Supplement 1, Vol. 3 Issue 4, pS33. 1p.
- Subject
- *NERVE grafting
*RETROPUBIC prostatectomy
*PROSTATE cancer
- Language
- ISSN
- 1365-7852
Although the cavernous nerve can be preserved during retropubic radical prostatectomy in some patients due to the extent of the tumour, both nerves must be sacrificed in order to achieve cancer control. Cavernous nerve reconstruction using interposition of autologous sural nerve grafts at the time of radical prostatectomy has been shown in both an animal model and in humans to restore post operative potency. In this prospective study, we tested this surgical technique in 30 consecutive patients and evaluated the post operative erectile function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]