Low testosterone and risk of biochemical recurrence and poorly differentiated prostate cancer at radical prostatectomy.

Objectives: To evaluate, in a prospective study, the association between low testosterone and pathologic endpoints and the risk of biochemical progression. Androgens play a key role in prostate cancer progression. The results from 3 retrospective studies have suggested that low pretreatment testosterone is an independent predictor of adverse pathologic features in patients with localized prostate cancer.

Ejaculatory urine incontinence after radical prostatectomy.

Objectives: Urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction remain the long-term complications that affect most patients' lives after radical prostatectomy. Previous reports evaluating incontinence have focused on volumes of urine loss and daily pad use to assess these issues. We have observed that small volumes of urinary incontinence during sexual activity can be just as disconcerting to patients.

Use of a visual analog scale to assess pain of injection with intracavernous injection therapy.

Aim: Fear of pain with intracavernosal injection (ICI) therapy may discourage its use in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED).

Methods: We prospectively analyzed patient self-report of discomfort with ICI therapy for ED utilizing a visual analog scale from 0 to 10.

Results: Patient self-report using a visual analog scale revealed minimal discomfort, with 59 consecutive patients reporting an average pain score of 1.

Sildenafil citrate and vacuum constriction device combination enhances sexual satisfaction in erectile dysfunction after radical prostatectomy.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of combining sildenafil citrate with a vacuum constriction device (VCD) in men (after radical prostatectomy) unsatisfied with the results of the VCD alone.

Methods: A total of 31 patients unsatisfied with the early use of VCD alone after radical prostatectomy (mean follow-up of 4.5 months) were instructed to take 100 mg of sildenafil 1 to 2 hours before VCD use for sexual intercourse.

Efficacy and factors associated with successful outcome of sildenafil citrate use for erectile dysfunction after radical prostatectomy.

Objectives: To assess the efficacy and factors associated with successful treatment of sildenafil citrate for erectile dysfunction after radical prostatectomy (RP).

Methods: Of the 470 patients who underwent RP at our institution between July 1998 and January 2000, 227 (48%) sought treatment for erectile dysfunction, and 174 (37%) were prescribed sildenafil citrate. The starting dose was 50 mg, which was increased to 100 mg if the patient did not have a positive response.

Long-term intracavernous therapy responders can potentially switch to sildenafil citrate after radical prostatectomy.

Objectives: To assess whether long-term users of intracavernous (IC) injections after radical prostatectomy can switch to oral therapy with sildenafil citrate.

Methods: Forty-nine patients (mean age 60.9 years) with erectile dysfunction after radical prostatectomy were identified as long-term users of IC injections (3.

Long-term effect of sildenafil citrate on erectile dysfunction after radical prostatectomy: 3-year follow-up.

Objectives: To evaluate the long-term effect and safety of sildenafil citrate for the treatment of erectile dysfunction after radical prostatectomy (RP).

Methods: The study consisted of 91 patients with erectile dysfunction from our institution who received oral sildenafil citrate after RP. We surveyed these patients using a self-administered questionnaire during the first year of sildenafil citrate use to determine treatment satisfaction, patient compliance, and safety.

Mechanical failure of the American Medical Systems Ultrex inflatable penile prosthesis: before and after 1993 structural modification.

Purpose: The 700 Ultrex (American Medical Systems, Minnetonka, Minnesota) is the only penile prosthesis capable of length and girth expansion. Early experience with the 700 Ultrex showed an increased mechanical failure rate compared with the 700CX, mostly secondary to cylinder failure. In 1993 the Ultrex cylinders were modified.