Microsurgical nerve grafts restore potency - Prostate Cancer - Brief Article

Men who have had their prostate gland removed (prostatectomy) due to cancer can still maintain their sexual function through microsurgical nerve grafting, according to a study at Baylor University School of Medicine, Houston, Tex. As many as 80% of cancer-related prostatectomy patients sustain some type of injury to the cavernous nerves. These nerves, found on both sides of the prostate gland, become engorged with blood during sexual arousal, and are responsible for erection.

"Many men lose their ability to have an erection after a prostatectomy because critical cavernous nerves are partially or completely severed during the procedure," indicates Rahul Nath, assistant professor of plastic surgery. "Using nerves from a patient's leg and attaching it to the severed cavernous nerve creates the potential for the nerve to regenerate. Potency numbers are significantly increased in patients that undergo nerve grafting, from zero to 55% potency in patients with both nerves severed, and from 17 to 71% in patients with one."

The study examined 24 patients with both cavernous nerves severed and 51 patients with one severed nerve. All underwent microsurgical nerve grafting to restore erectile function. After one year, 49 of the men who underwent nerve grafting (13 patients with both of the nerves severed and 36 with one severed) experienced spontaneous erections sufficient for unassisted intercourse.

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