Local steroid application during nerve-sparing radical retropubic prostatectomy.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the effect on potency rates after surgery of applying local steroids to the neurovascular bundles (NVBs) of the prostate after bilateral nerve-sparing radical retropubic prostatectomy (BNS-RRP).

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Sixty potent men undergoing BNS-RRP for clinically localized prostate cancer were prospectively randomized equally into two groups. In group 1, 10 mL of betamethasone cream 0.1% was applied locally to both NVBs, and group 2 had only the usual BNS-RRP with no corticoid cream. Complications and potency were evaluated at 3, 6 and 12 months in all patients and compared between the groups.

RESULTS:

At 12 months, 57% and 60% of patients were potent in group 1 and 2, respectively; the respective mean International Index of Erectile Function (5-item) scores were 14.76 and 15.43 (P = 0.59). Potency rates at 3, 6 and 12 months were not significantly different between the groups, and the continence rates at 12 months were also similar, with 93% and 90% of patients in groups 1 and 2 being continent, respectively. Ten and five patients in groups 1 and 2, respectively, required a blood transfusion (P = 0.23). There were no fistulae, wound dehiscence or rectal perforations. One patient in group 2 presented 4 months after RRP with a bladder neck contracture.

CONCLUSIONS:

Local application of betamethasone does not improve or expedite the recovery of erectile function after BNS-RRP, but there were no complications associated with its use.

• Authors: Charalambos Deliveliotis, Athanasios Delis, Athanasios Papatsoris, Nikos Antoniou, Ioannis M Varkarakis
• Journal: BJU international (BJU Int) Vol. 96 Issue 4 Pg. 533-5 (Sep 2005) ISSN: 1464-4096 [Print] England
• PMID: 16104905 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Glucocorticoids
• Betamethasone

Topics

• Betamethasone (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Chi-Square Distribution
• Erectile Dysfunction (prevention & control)
• Follow-Up Studies
• Glucocorticoids (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Penile Erection
• Prospective Studies
• Prostatectomy (methods)
• Prostatic Neoplasms (drug therapy, surgery)
• Urinary Incontinence (prevention & control)