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Cavernous nerve graft reconstruction using an autologous nerve guide to restore potency
Author(s) -
Fujioka Masaki,
Tasaki Isao,
Kitamura Riko,
Yakabe Aya,
Hayashi Mikio,
Matsuya Fukuzo,
Miyaguchi Taishi,
Tsuruta Junji
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
bju international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.773
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1464-410X
pISSN - 1464-4096
DOI - 10.1111/j.1464-410x.2007.07068.x
Subject(s) - potency , medicine , peripheral nerve , anatomy , surgery , biology , biochemistry , in vitro
OBJECTIVE To present our experience of cavernous nerve graft reconstruction, using an autologous nerve vein‐guide technique, to restore potency. PATIENTS AND METHODS Prostate cancers frequently require radical resection involving one or both cavernous nerves that usually results in erectile dysfunction; nerve grafting has been used to restore erectile function, but clinical results are unsatisfactory owing to inadequate surgical techniques. In all, eight patients with prostate cancer who required radical resection involving one cavernous nerve had sural nerve grafting, with two or three sutures using the autologous vein‐guide technique, in our unit between 2004 and 2005. Because of the difficulty of performing microsurgical manoeuvres deep within the pelvic cavity, the nerve anastomosis might be unsatisfactory. RESULTS Seven of the eight patients had spontaneous erectile activity after grafting and six of these patients were able to have intercourse. CONCLUSION Sural nerve grafting using the autologous vein‐guide technique is simple, has minimal morbidity, and yields good outcomes.