Sexual potency after radical prostatectomy.

Systematically acquired data on preservation or loss of sexual potency after radical prostatectomy have not been reported frequently. Our retrospective study is based on a review of the hospital records of 62 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy between 1968 and 1978. No notation as to preoperative potency was found in the records of 74 per cent of the patients. Of 14 patients who affirmed preoperative potency 6 (43 per cent) reported normal erections and resumption of sexual intercourse postoperatively. The mean of these 6 men was significantly less than the group as a whole (p les than 0.01). It is urged that an adequate sexual history be elicited before any prostatic operation, and certainly in advanced of radical prostatectomy. It is suggested that sexual potency may be retained after radical prostatectomy far more often than has been presumed previously. Thus, urologists should be aware of the sexual interests and competency of their aging male patients, and encourage continuation of sexual activity after radical prostatectomy.