The Use of Ultrasound in Assessing Post-prostatectomy Erectile Dysfunction

Ultrasound Vibroelastography in Post-Prostatectomy Erectile Dysfunction

Researchers are trying to determine whether there is additional utility to using vibroelastography, a noninvasive ultrasound technique to evaluate for the presence of tissue fibrosis, in conjunction with standard penile duplex Doppler ultrasound to assess erectile function (recovery) after prostate cancer surgery.

Inclusion criteria include:

• Age > 40 years
• Clinically localized prostate cancer (American Urological Association Grade Groups 1-2; cT1c or cT2a-b; PSA < 10) without clinic or imaging evidence of localized extra-prostatic or metastatic disease (i.e. AUA low and favorable intermediate risk prostate cancer)
• International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) of ≥ 21 points at baseline (no or mild erectile dysfunction)
• Patient-expressed interest in consultation for sexual function (erectile function) preservation/ optimization
• Planned bilateral nerves-paring prostatectomy

Exclusion criteria include:

• Moderate or severe ED based in IIEF criteria (score < 21)
• History of prior pelvic or penile surgery
• Current or prior androgen deprivation therapy
• Planned non-nerve sparing prostatectomy