Erectile function rehabilitation after radical prostatectomy: Practice patterns among AUA members Journal Article
| Authors: | Tal, R.; Teloken, P.; Mulhall, J. P. |
| Article Title: | Erectile function rehabilitation after radical prostatectomy: Practice patterns among AUA members |
| Abstract: | Introduction. Despite a growing body of evidence supporting erectile function (EF) rehabilitation after radical prostatectomy (RP), there are no guidelines on this subject. Aim. To explore EF rehabilitation practice patterns of American Urological Association (AUA) urologists. Methods. A 35-question instrument was constructed assessing physician demographics, training, and EF rehabilitation practices after RP, and was e-mailed to AUA members by the AUA Office of Education. Data were acquired by the AUA and analyzed by the investigators. Main Outcome Measure. Percentage of responders who recommend EF rehabilitation practices following RP, characterization of prevalent rehabilitation practices. Results. Of the 618 urologists who completed the survey, 71% were in private practice, 28% considered themselves as sexual medicine specialists, although only 4% were fellowship-trained, 43% were urologic oncology specialists (14% fellowship-trained), 86% performed RP, and 86% of responders recommended rehabilitation practices. Being a sexual medicine or a urologic oncology specialist was not predictive of rehabilitation employment. Forty-three percent rehabilitate all patients, 57% only selected patients. Selection for rehabilitation was dependent upon preop EF by 66%, nerve-sparing status by 22%, and age by 5%. Eleven percent started rehab immediately after RP, 97% within 4 months. 24%, 45% and 18% ceased rehab at <12, 12-18, and 18-24 months, respectively. Eighty-nine percent of RP surgeons performed rehabilitation vs. only 66% who do not perform RP (P<0.0001). Eighty-seven percent prefer phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5i) as their primary strategy followed (in order) by vacuum erection device (VED), intracavernosal injection (ICI), and urethral suppositories. Conclusions. Among the respondents, penile rehabilitation is a common practice. Urologic oncologists and RP surgeons are more likely to use rehabilitation practices. The most commonly employed strategy is regular PDE5i use for 12-18 months after RP. © 2011 International Society for Sexual Medicine. |
| Keywords: | patient selection; clinical practice; demography; questionnaire; medical education; prostatectomy; surgeon; urology; radical prostatectomy; rehabilitation; phosphodiesterase v inhibitor; prostaglandin e1; sildenafil; tadalafil; vardenafil; penis erection; erectile function; survey; american urological association; penis erection rehabilitation |
| Journal Title: | Journal of Sexual Medicine |
| Volume: | 8 |
| Issue: | 8 |
| ISSN: | 1743-6095 |
| Publisher: | Elsevier Inc. |
| Date Published: | 2011-08-01 |
| Start Page: | 2370 |
| End Page: | 2376 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2011.02355.x |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| PUBMED: | 21679306 |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | --- - "Export Date: 3 October 2011" - "Source: Scopus" |
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