Nerve grafting to restore sexual function after RP

[Tonik25]

We are looking into this procedure which is performed in Melnourne Australia. They are sending us costs which I will share once we receive them. The costs have to be met by the patient.

onlinecommunity.pcfa.org.au...

[Tonik25]

That would be Melbourne not Melnourne....

[cpcohen]

FWIW (no letters after my name) (and musing) --

I read the summary of the European Urology journal study. It includes:

>>>>>>>>>>>

Success was defined as either:

. . . Restoration of spontaneous erectile function

. . . Restoration of erectile function with the use of drugs such as Viagra, Cialis or Levitra, . . . . . . . when these were not effective before nerve-grafting

. . . Restoration of erectile function with the injected drugs into the base of the penis,

. . . . . when these were not effective before nerve-grafting

As this is a case series, there is no control group for this study. But we know that impotence that continues for two years after prostate surgery, that is not improved by any drug treatments, is usually permanent. So, it’s reasonable to predict that none of these men would have seen any improvements without the nerve-graft surgery.

. . .

It’s important to recognise the success rate for this procedure. These men were chosen specifically as good candidates for the procedure. Considerable research is needed to determine the success of the procedure in a larger scale and to determine who it is best suited for. A larger study would be also of great benefit allowing for a longer and better assessment of quality of life of the patients after surgery.

<<<<

The definition of "success" is rather broad. I can see that, if injections didn't work before the nerve graft, and they work after the nerve graft, a patient might say:

. . . "The surgery was successful - - I'm better off after it, than I was before."

But that's nowhere near a "return to pre-surgical sexual function" -- the patient still has serious ED.

It might be worth participating in the trial, _if_ you've tried

. . . oral drugs;

. . . . a VED;

. . . . . Trimix / bimix injections

and none of them has worked. (I've been using injections for 10 years, and they've been quite effective).

I remember lots of talk of "nerve grafting" ten years ago (when I had my prostatectomy), but haven't heard much about it, since then. I've always assumed that the procedure just didn't work very well. But progress in medicine is incremental, and the Brazilians (and others) may have improved it.

. Charles

[Jeff85705]

I am dubious. These are incredibly delicate nerves, and even during nerve-sparing RP, trauma to the untouched nerves itself causes profound ED lasting months to over a year. At least it did in my case. The thought of actually performing surgery on the nerves makes me worry that the very trauma of the grafting procedure would result in ED that could last for months or longer. I would hope this would be perfected in the future, but I doubt that with present technology it would have successful outcomes, even with added ED drugs or other treatments along with the procedure.

[Tonik25]

We got the quote, not within our reach financially unfortunately. Two surgeons each charging $6k each with an out of pocket cost of $4200k each which does not include the anaesthetist which I suspect would be another $2k out of pocket. So essentially $10,500 Australian which does not include the flights and accommodation for 2 weeks after surgery. With 3 children still at school we just do not have that much disposable cash lying around. So if there are any rich benefactors out there that would like to fund restoring my husbands erections I’d be happy to hear from you.

Maybe I should start a go fund me page, what should the title be....or maybe not ..