Objective: • To identify the reported rates of potency after prostatectomy in the recent literature for men without preoperative erectile dysfunction (ED) and to develop a statistical model for predicting the expected potency after prostatectomy.
Materials and methods: • A Medline search was conducted with the keywords 'potency' and 'prostatectomy' from 2003 to 2009. • In total, 33 studies in the English language reporting pre- and postoperative erectile function were identified. • Data from studies reporting outcome after open, laparoscopic and robot-assisted prostatectomy were analyzed separately. • Only data obtained from potent men before surgery were included in the analysis.
Results: • In potent men before surgery, the main predictors of post-treatment erectile function are age and time after treatment. • The cumulative range of potency rates at 48 months for all ages (45-75 years) was 49-74% for open, 58-74% for laparoscopic and 60-100% for robotic prostatectomy. • The predicted outcome differs by type of operation and patient age.
Conclusions: • Men aged <60 years have a significant likelihood of regaining erectile function after radical prostatectomy. • The reported statistical model provides a reliable estimation of erectile function outcome after prostatectomy for men with localized prostate cancer and intact erectile function.
© 2011 BJU INTERNATIONAL.