Prostatectomy

Our top-ranked doctors perform superior and highly skilled prostatectomy surgeries, in addition to prehabilitation and post-operative penile rehabilitation resulting in better sexual function recoveries for you.

Prostatectomy

Our top-ranked doctors perform superior and highly skilled prostatectomy surgeries, in addition to prehabilitation and post-operative penile rehabilitation resulting in better sexual function recoveries for you.

Maximizing Penile Health Before, During and After Surgery

A prostatectomy is a surgery performed to remove all or part of the prostate gland. This can be done for several reasons, including to treat prostate cancer. Our cancer and urology programs are ranked among the best in the country by U.S. News & World Report, and our surgeons have performed over 6,000 radical prostatectomies. Our USC Urology and USC Fertility and Men’s Sexual Health Center teams work together to provide you with excellent, compassionate care that preserves your sexual function and continence.

Penile Prehabilitation (Prehab) Prior to Prostatectomy

The goal of prehab is to maximize penile health and erectile function before surgery, which can aid in better recovery of erectile function post-surgery. Before a prostatectomy, we provide you with a presurgical treatment plan that might include the following:

  • Oral therapy (PDE5 inhibitors): Medications like sildenafil (Viagra) or tadalafil (Cialis) can be started preoperatively to increase blood flow to the penis and improve endothelial function, helping preserve erectile tissue.
  • Patient education: Detailed counseling on potential sexual side effects of surgery, recovery time, and setting realistic expectations of postoperative erectile function.
  • Pelvic floor muscle exercises: Preoperative training of the pelvic floor muscles (Kegel exercises) helps in regaining urinary continence and may positively impact postoperative erectile function.
  • Vacuum erection devices (VEDs): Noninvasive devices can be used to increase blood flow to the penis and promote oxygenation to the tissues. Regular use may prevent long-term damage to erectile function.

Penile Rehabilitation After Prostatectomy

The objective of post-operative rehabilitation is to restore erectile function by preventing long-term damage to the penile tissue and improving recovery of spontaneous erections. After surgery, your team might recommend the following:

  • Intraurethral therapy or injections: Intraurethral suppositories (such as alprostadil) or intracavernosal injections (like trimix) may be introduced to increase blood flow and promote tissue oxygenation, particularly if oral medications are ineffective.
  • Oral therapy (PDE5 inhibitors): Similar to prehab, medications like sildenafil or tadalafil are typically continued postoperatively to improve blood flow and support the recovery of erectile function.
  • Pelvic floor rehabilitation: Continued pelvic floor muscle exercises to improve urinary continence and sexual function.
  • Penile prosthesis: If conservative measures fail, surgical implantation of a penile prosthesis may be recommended.
  • Penile ultrasound: Diagnostic tools can assess vascular health and guide treatment plans for erectile function.
  • Vacuum erection devices (VEDs): Continued use of VEDs helps maintain penile length and prevent tissue atrophy by facilitating blood flow during the recovery period.

Why Choose Us for a Prostatectomy

Our prostate cancer team was the first in California to offer the latest robot-assisted surgery for prostatectomies.

We offer distinctive services that include minimally invasive surgery through a single-entry point in the stomach.

We integrate state-of-the-art technology with compassionate, individualized care.

Our team is led by world-renowned experts in male fertility and sexual health who prioritize effective, evidence-based treatments that maximize success and minimize discomfort and recovery time.