Fixing Blood‑Flow Leaks While Enhancing Penile Structure

What is it about?

This article reports on a surgical approach called penile venous stripping (PVSS) used to help men who developed erectile dysfunction (ED) after undergoing a minimally invasive prostatectomy for prostate cancer. Some men experience ED after prostate surgery because the veins in the penis leak blood too quickly, preventing a firm erection. This condition is called veno‑occlusive dysfunction (VOD). The study followed 15 men, ages 62–79, whose ED did not improve with any available medical treatments—even very high doses of medication. All of them had imaging tests confirming venous leakage. The researchers performed PVSS, a surgery that: removes or ties off leaking veins improves the penis’s ability to retain blood during an erection is done under local anesthesia with acupuncture support After surgery, the men showed: significant improvement in erectile‑function scores better erection hardness improved blood retention on imaging some were able to have sex without medication others still needed medication but responded better than before The study concludes that PVSS can help certain men whose ED is caused by venous leakage after prostatectomy, although the sample size is small.

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Photo by Sakarie Mustafe Hidig on Unsplash

Photo by Sakarie Mustafe Hidig on Unsplash

Why is it important?

1. It helps a group of patients who often have no effective treatment Some men develop erectile dysfunction after minimally invasive prostatectomy, and for many of them, medications don’t work—even at very high doses. This study shows that penile venous stripping (PVSS) can restore erectile function in patients who previously had no options. 2. It identifies a real, physical cause of post‑prostatectomy ED The study confirms that many of these men have veno‑occlusive dysfunction (VOD)—a condition where blood leaks out of the penis too quickly to maintain an erection. Recognizing this physical cause is essential for choosing the right treatment. 3. It demonstrates measurable improvement after surgery After PVSS, patients showed: significantly higher erectile‑function scores (IIEF‑5) better erection hardness (EHS) improved blood retention on imaging These are meaningful, objective improvements. 4. It shows long‑term benefits Patients were followed for more than 5 years, and the improvements were sustained over time. Long‑term data like this are rare and valuable. 5. It offers insights for surgeons and clinicians The study highlights the importance of: understanding penile venous anatomy identifying venous leakage correctly using anatomy‑guided surgical techniques This helps clinicians make better decisions for similar patients. 6. It improves quality of life after prostate cancer treatment Erectile dysfunction after prostatectomy can deeply affect confidence, relationships, and overall well‑being. Showing that a surgical option can help—even when medications fail—has real impact on patient quality of life.

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