Extract

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is still a potential adverse effect in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP). It is mainly a consequence of the neurovascular bundles damage, after partial or total sectioning, by stretching or by thermal lesion during surgery, even after robotic assisted procedures.1 In addition, in those patients with possibly transient ED right after RP, most of them will lose erectile function (EF) permanently if they are not rehabilitated adequately.1 Therefore, the first endpoint target after RP regarding EF is penile rehabilitation which allows the patient to return to sexual life with quality as quickly as possible.

The long-term efficacy of low-intensity shockwave therapy (LI-ESWT) for ED post-radical prostatectomy has been a key focus in clinical studies. The majority of trials evaluating LI-ESWT have demonstrated promising short-term improvements in erectile function, particularly in patients with mild to moderate ED.2

Our first paper (Baccaglini et al. 2020) indicated that LI-ESWT had a positive impact on improving erectile function compared to the control group. This therapy showed promise in promoting penile tissue regeneration and enhancing blood flow, thereby aiding in the recovery of erectile function post-surgery. However, further research is needed to fully establish its long-term efficacy and optimal application in clinical practice. Therefore, we aimed to assess the long-term results of our patients to evaluate if there is some benefit of LI-ESWT on penile rehabilitation after RP.

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