Introduction
A radical robotic prostatectomy is a critical process that takes much time for recovery. Regaining erectile function after this surgery is difficult but not impossible. It takes nearly eighteen to thirty-six months to heal the damage caused to nerve tissues during the robotic prostatectomy.
The erectile functions are regained only after the renewal or regeneration of the nerve tissues of the prostate gland. Early postoperative medical therapy can aid in regaining potency in Erection After Robotic Prostatectomy.
What is Robotic Prostatectomy?
Robotic Proctectomy is a laparoscopic surgery to remove the cancerous prostate gland and some tissues surrounding the affected area. It is a minimally invasive robotic surgery. The cancerous parts of the prostate gland are removed by making a few small incisions on the affected area. No large incision is done because it is risky for the sensitive area.
An advanced surgical system is used for the entire process. First, several small keyhole incisions are made on the patient’s abdomen. Then various miniaturized robotic instruments are passed through the incisions to remove the cancerous prostate tissue and nearby tissues. This is done with great precision.
Benefits of Robotic Prostate Surgery
This surgery is exact, less painful, and less time taking. It offers many benefits compared to traditional prostate or open prostate surgery. The benefits are-
- Smaller incisions
- Less pain
- Low risk of infection
- Less blood loss
- Less need for blood transfusion
- Less scary
- Quick recovery
- Shorter stay in the hospital
- Superior sparing of nerves
- Proper control of cancer
- Less risk of urinary infections
- Complete removal of the cancerous region
- More than ten years of survival mark
- Completely safe
Erectile dysfunction
The loss of proper erectile function is one of the most common signs after robotic prostatectomy. The return of erectile function following the surgery is entirely based on the patient’s age, the degree of pre-operative and post-operative sexual functions, and the number of nerves spared during the prostate cancer surgery.
The surgeons use nerve-sparing techniques to seal the nerves when cancer is suspected in the nerve tissues. This immensely helps to minimize the negative impact of the surgery on the sexual function of the patient.
Reasons for erectile dysfunction after Prostatectomy
Nearly all men fact some kind of erectile dysfunction during the initial months after the surgery. Even though it is less invasive and laparoscopic surgery, there is a probability of dysfunctional erection in the initial months after the surgery. The reasons are-
- Less nerve sparing in the surgery.
- Excessive bleeding during the surgery
- Presence of other disorders like vascular problems or diabetes.
Prostaglandin
Prostaglandins are naturally synthesized in the tissues of a human penis. However, with the increase in age or surgeries like (Prostatectomy), the amount of naturally produced prostaglandins decreases gradually. That’s why several dosages of prostaglandins are injected to improve erectile function.
Use of Electrocautery-free preservation technique
It is considered one of the advanced solutions to improve erectile function after surgery for prostate cancer. The electrocautery-free preservation of neurovascular bundles impacts erectile functions. The neurovascular bundles are the potency nerves of the prostate glands. These are essential for the return of potency after prostate surgery.
Importance of mono and bipolar cautery near the potency nerves
Recent studies have proved that mono and bipolar cautery around the potency nerves helps return erectile functions after surgery. It limits the bleeding during the surgery. The reason behind this is the healing of blood vessels to stop bleeding during the surgery. This process is called Cauterizing of the bleeding vessels.” It is necessary for prostate cancer surgery to prevent blood loss. Several blood vessels are intertwined with the nerves for potency. It is considered the standard method to prevent blood loss.
Conclusion
Robotic prostatectomy requires a highly skilled surgeon. The cancerous tissues are removed with very high precision. There are chances of erectile dysfunction, but it is curable with various advanced treatment methods.