This is used in conjunction with a recently developed surgical aid to stimulate the critical cavernosal nerves, which control erection. Nerve-sparing prostatectomy is limited to those with very early cancer. Also, at the time of surgery, surgeons may still decide against it if it looks like the nerves are too close to the cancer, adds Lange. Incontinence is another common side effect of prostate surgery that can be more effectively prevented with newer surgical techniques. Generally about 5 percent to 20 percent of prostatectomy patients are temporarily incontinent, but at some centers, including UWMC, this figure has dropped to 2 percent.
Temporary incontinence can last several weeks to a few months.
Those who remain incontinent may undergo minor procedures such as collagen injections or an implantable incontinence cuff. About 60 percent to 65 percent of patients have regained potency after nerve-sparing surgery, a significant increase over what was achieved previously at UWMC and many other hospitals, says Lange. Many men are able to have erections right away, while others may take up to a year. If potency is not restored in the first three months, alternative means can be used to achieve an erection. After erection, an elastic rubber band keeps the blood from leaving.