How Potent is Potent Before Nerve Sparing Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy?

Purpose: We objectively evaluated potency before nerve sparing radical retropubic prostatectomy. Materials and Methods: A total of 45 consecutive potent, neurologically normal and sexually active candidates 47 to 70 years old (mean age 62) completed a detailed questionnaire (separate from their partner), and underwent penile biothesiometry, RigiScan* * Dacomed, Minneapolis, Minnesota. testing for 3 nights, and duplex Doppler scanning of the cavernous arteries before and after prostaglandin E1 injection. Results: Of the patients 8 noted moderate and the remainder normal erections on the questionnaire. RigiScan testing and penile biothesiometry correlated poorly with potency status. Duplex scanning demonstrated excellent peak velocities in 93 percent of the patients. Conclusions: This well studied prospective series underscores the importance of careful objective assessment of potent surgical candidates, and underlines a strong correlation between preoperative potency status and duplex Doppler scanning.