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Rationale for phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor use post-radical prostatectomy: experimental and clinical review

International Journal of Impotence Research volume 20, pages 30–34 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common complication after radical prostatectomy and results from trauma sustained by the cavernosal nerves. This is a major concern for patients and often affects treatment decisions. The likely mechanism for post-prostatectomy ED is through corporal veno-occlusive dysfunction. There is an increasing amount of evidence to suggest that phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PDE5 inhibitors), when given on a continuous long-term basis, can help to prevent and reverse ED after surgery. In this review article we will examine the pathophysiology of post-prostatectomy ED and discuss the experimental and available clinical evidence for administering PDE5 inhibitors after prostatectomy.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Urology, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA

    A Rambhatla, M Ferrini, N F Gonzalez-Cadavid & J Rajfer

  2. LA BioMed Institute, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA

    I Kovanecz, M Ferrini, N F Gonzalez-Cadavid & J Rajfer

  3. Department of Urology, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    M Ferrini, N F Gonzalez-Cadavid & J Rajfer

Authors
  1. A Rambhatla
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  2. I Kovanecz
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  3. M Ferrini
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  4. N F Gonzalez-Cadavid
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  5. J Rajfer
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to J Rajfer.

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Rambhatla, A., Kovanecz, I., Ferrini, M. et al. Rationale for phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor use post-radical prostatectomy: experimental and clinical review. Int J Impot Res 20, 30–34 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3901588

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