You may be suitable for nerve-sparing prostate surgery if your cancer can be removed safely while preserving the nerves involved in erections. The key point is that nerve-sparing is not chosen simply because you want to protect erectile function, but because your surgeon believes it can be done without increasing the risk of leaving cancer behind.
If you are preparing for prostate cancer surgery, it is completely natural to ask about your sexual recovery. Many men worry about erections, intimacy, confidence, and how life may feel after treatment. These are valid concerns, and it is important that you discuss them openly before your operation so you understand what to expect.
Nerve-sparing prostate surgery is a specialised technique used during radical prostatectomy. Your surgeon will try to preserve the nerve bundles that run very close to your prostate and play an important role in erections.
However, not everyone is suitable for this approach. As organisations such as Cancer Research UK explain, nerve-sparing surgery can reduce the risk of erection problems, but if your cancer is close to the nerves, your surgeon may need to remove one or both nerve bundles to ensure the cancer is fully treated.
What Is Nerve-Sparing Prostate Surgery?
Nerve-sparing prostate surgery is a technique used during prostate cancer surgery. The operation itself is usually called a radical prostatectomy, which means your whole prostate gland is removed to treat the cancer.
The nerves involved in erections run very close to your prostate, usually in bundles on each side. During nerve-sparing surgery, your surgeon carefully separates the prostate from these nerves and preserves them where it is safe to do so.
This approach may improve your chances of erectile recovery after surgery, although it does not guarantee that erections will return to normal. The final decision always depends on cancer safety, including your tumour location, MRI findings, biopsy results, and your surgeon’s clinical judgement.
Why Suitability Matters
Nerve-sparing surgery is not suitable for every man, and the main reason for this is cancer control. Your surgeon’s first priority is always to remove the cancer safely and completely.
If your tumour is close to the nerve bundles, preserving those nerves may leave too little healthy tissue around the cancer. This can increase the risk of a positive surgical margin, where cancer cells are found at the edge of the removed tissue.
If nerve preservation is considered safe in your case, it may be included in your surgical plan. However, if it is not safe, your surgeon may recommend removing a wider area of tissue, even if this increases the likelihood of erectile dysfunction afterwards.
Although this can feel difficult emotionally, these decisions are made to prioritise your long-term cancer outcomes and give you the best chance of cure or control.
MRI Findings Are Very Important
MRI plays a very important role in deciding whether nerve-sparing surgery may be suitable for you. Your MRI scan gives your specialist detailed information about exactly where the cancer is located inside your prostate, which helps guide safer and more precise surgical planning.
It can also show whether the tumour is close to the capsule, which is the outer edge of the prostate. If the cancer is close to this area near the nerve bundle, your surgeon may need to be more cautious about preserving the nerves.
If your MRI suggests that the cancer may have spread beyond the prostate, nerve-sparing may not be safe on that side. The scan can also help guide whether nerve preservation is possible on both sides, one side, or not at all. Your MRI is therefore not just for diagnosis, but an important tool in planning your surgery.
Biopsy Results Influence Suitability
Your biopsy results are another key part of deciding whether nerve-sparing surgery may be suitable for you. A biopsy shows how aggressive your cancer cells look under the microscope, and you may hear terms such as Gleason score or Grade Group when your results are discussed.
Lower-grade cancers may be more suitable for nerve-sparing if they are located safely away from the nerve bundles. In these cases, your surgeon may feel more confident that preserving the nerves will not compromise cancer control.
Higher-grade cancers, however, may require a wider margin of tissue to be removed, especially if they are close to the edge of the prostate. The amount of cancer found in your biopsy also matters, because if several samples from one side contain cancer, your surgeon may be more cautious about preserving the nerves on that side.
PSA Level Helps Build the Risk Picture
PSA stands for prostate-specific antigen. It is a protein made by prostate cells, and your level can rise in prostate cancer. However, PSA can also increase for non-cancer reasons, such as benign prostate enlargement, infection, or inflammation.
When prostate cancer has already been diagnosed, your PSA helps your specialist understand your overall level of risk alongside your other test results. A lower PSA, combined with favourable MRI and biopsy findings, may support a more conservative surgical approach in selected cases where nerve-sparing could be considered.
A higher PSA may suggest a greater cancer burden or higher-risk disease, especially when it is seen alongside higher-grade biopsy results. However, PSA on its own does not determine whether nerve-sparing surgery is possible. It is only one part of the full clinical picture your surgeon uses when planning your treatment.
Tumour Location Is One of the Biggest Factors
Tumour location is one of the most important factors in deciding whether nerve-sparing surgery is suitable for you. If your cancer is on the side of the prostate close to one nerve bundle, that side may not be safe for nerve preservation.
If your cancer is located away from both nerve bundles, your surgeon may be able to consider bilateral nerve-sparing, meaning both sides could potentially be preserved. However, if the cancer is close to one side but not the other, unilateral nerve-sparing may be considered instead.
This means your surgical plan can be different on each side of the prostate. Your surgeon may recommend preserving one nerve bundle while removing the other in order to balance safe cancer control with the best possible chance of erectile recovery. This is why your operation is carefully planned around your exact cancer location rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.
What Is Bilateral Nerve-Sparing?
Bilateral nerve-sparing means that your surgeon tries to preserve both nerve bundles that run alongside your prostate. This may be possible if your cancer appears safely away from both sides of the prostate.
When it is suitable, bilateral nerve-sparing may offer the best chance of erectile recovery after surgery, especially if you already had strong erections before treatment. However, this approach is only used when it can be done safely.
If your tumour is close to one or both nerve bundles, bilateral nerve-sparing may not be recommended because preserving both sides could increase the risk of leaving cancer behind. Your surgeon should explain clearly whether both sides can be spared in your case and the reasons behind that decision.
It is also important to ask what this means specifically for your erectile recovery and cancer control, so you have realistic expectations before surgery.
What Is Unilateral Nerve-Sparing?
Unilateral nerve-sparing means that your surgeon preserves one nerve bundle while removing or partly removing the nerve bundle on the other side. This approach may be recommended if your cancer is close to the nerves on one side but safely away on the other.
Preserving one nerve bundle may still help with erectile recovery, although the chances are generally lower compared with bilateral nerve-sparing. Your outcome will depend on several factors, including your age, your erectile function before surgery, your overall health, and how well the preserved nerve recovers after the operation.
Unilateral nerve-sparing can be a useful compromise when preserving both sides is not safe. It allows your surgeon to prioritise complete cancer removal while still trying to maintain sexual function where it is possible for you.
What Is Non-Nerve-Sparing Surgery?
Non-nerve-sparing surgery means that your surgeon does not preserve the nerve bundles that run alongside your prostate. This may be necessary if your cancer is very close to the nerves, appears to extend beyond the prostate, or requires a wider area of tissue removal to ensure safe cancer control.
It may also be recommended for some higher-risk cancers where preserving the nerves could increase the risk of leaving cancer behind. In these situations, the priority is always to remove the cancer as safely and completely as possible.
This type of surgery can make natural erectile recovery much less likely, but it does not mean that nothing can be done afterwards. Erectile dysfunction treatments may still be available and discussed with you as part of your recovery plan.
Non-nerve-sparing surgery is not a sign of poor care. In most cases, it simply means your surgeon has made a decision to prioritise the safest possible cancer removal for your long-term health.
Your Erectile Function Before Surgery Matters
Your erections before surgery are an important factor when assessing how much benefit you may get from nerve-sparing. If you already have good erections before surgery, nerve-sparing may offer a better chance of recovery afterwards.
If you already have erectile dysfunction, diabetes, blood vessel disease, or other health factors affecting erections, recovery may be less predictable even if the nerves are preserved. This does not mean nerve-sparing has no value, but it does mean your expectations need to be more realistic.
Your surgeon may ask detailed questions about your erections before surgery, including whether you need tablets or any other support. It is important to be honest with your answers, as this helps your medical team give you clearer and more accurate advice about your likely recovery.
Age and General Health Affect Recovery
Your age can play an important role in erectile recovery after prostate surgery. Younger men who had good erections before surgery may have a better chance of regaining erections, especially if both nerve bundles are successfully preserved.
Your general health is just as important. Conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, obesity, heart disease, poor circulation, and lower fitness levels can all affect both erection quality and recovery after surgery. These factors influence how well blood flows to the penis and how efficiently the nerves can recover.
As highlighted by sources such as the Mayo Clinic, medicines like tadalafil or sildenafil may be used after nerve-sparing surgery to support recovery by improving blood flow and oxygen levels in the genital area. This shows that recovery is not only about whether the nerves are preserved, but also about your overall vascular health and how well your body heals after surgery.
Nerve-Sparing Does Not Guarantee Erectile Recovery
This is very important to understand. Even if you are suitable for nerve-sparing prostate surgery, it does not guarantee that your erections will return quickly or fully afterwards.
The nerves that control erections can still be bruised, stretched, or temporarily “stunned” during surgery, even when they are carefully preserved. Because of this, recovery can take several months and in some cases longer.
As highlighted by Cancer Research UK, nerve-sparing surgery can improve the chance of recovering erections, but not everyone is suitable, and it is important to speak to your doctor beforehand to understand your individual likelihood of recovery.
Overall, nerve-sparing surgery increases the possibility of erectile recovery, but it is not a guarantee. You may still need erectile rehabilitation or additional treatments after surgery to support your recovery.
What If the Cancer Is Close to the Nerves?
If your cancer is close to the nerves, your surgeon may recommend removing the nerve bundle on that side. This is done to reduce the risk of leaving any cancer behind and to prioritise your long-term cancer control.
If the cancer is close to both sides of the prostate, nerve-sparing surgery may not be possible. Although this can understandably feel upsetting, it is sometimes the safest and most appropriate option for you.
In these situations, your surgeon may still discuss erectile dysfunction treatments after surgery, but natural recovery of erections may be more difficult. If this applies to you, it is important to ask your surgeon to explain the reasoning clearly so you can understand why this recommendation has been made and feel more confident about your treatment plan.
What If Only One Side Can Be Spared?
If only one nerve bundle can be spared, erectile recovery may still be possible for you. However, the likelihood will depend on several factors, including your age, your erections before surgery, your overall health, and how well the remaining nerve recovers afterwards.
Some men are able to regain erections with unilateral nerve-sparing, but others may need additional support such as tablets, injections, vacuum devices, or other erectile dysfunction treatments.
Your surgeon should clearly explain what unilateral nerve-sparing may realistically mean for your situation. It is important to have a clear and realistic understanding before surgery, so you are not left feeling disappointed or unprepared if recovery takes longer or does not return fully on its own.
Can the Plan Change During Surgery?
Yes, the plan can sometimes change during your surgery. Your surgeon may plan nerve-sparing before the operation, but decide during the procedure that a wider removal is safer for you.
This can happen if the tissue planes are more difficult than expected, if there are concerns about the exact cancer location, or if what is seen during surgery is different from the pre-operative scans and assessment. In these situations, the surgical plan is adjusted in real time to prioritise your safety.
The main goal is always to remove the cancer completely and safely. It is a good idea to ask your surgeon before surgery whether the nerve-sparing plan could change during the operation, and what factors would influence that decision. This helps you understand that the plan is guided by safety, not fixed at all costs.
Does Robotic Surgery Mean I Am Suitable?
Robotic surgery does not automatically mean you are suitable for nerve-sparing. While robotic prostate surgery can help your surgeon work with precision in a very small space, it does not change the underlying decision about whether nerves can be safely preserved.
The robotic system provides a magnified view and controlled instrument movement, which can make delicate dissection easier. However, nerve-sparing still depends entirely on your cancer’s location and whether it is safe to preserve the nerve bundles without risking cancer control.
If your cancer is close to the nerves, even robotic surgery may not make nerve preservation appropriate. The robot is simply a tool controlled by your surgeon, and it does not override the basic principle of removing your cancer safely. That is why it is important to ask specifically whether nerve-sparing is planned for you, rather than assuming it will be done because the surgery is robotic.
Does Retzius-Sparing Surgery Mean Nerve-Sparing?
Retzius-sparing surgery and nerve-sparing surgery are two different concepts, and one does not automatically mean the other is being done. Retzius-sparing robotic prostate surgery is a technique that approaches the prostate from behind and is designed to help preserve the structures involved in urinary control. Nerve-sparing surgery, on the other hand, focuses on preserving the nerve bundles that are responsible for erections.
Depending on your suitability, you may have one technique, both techniques, or neither. For example, you may be suitable for nerve-sparing surgery but not Retzius-sparing surgery, or you may have Retzius-sparing surgery with only one nerve bundle preserved.
Your surgeon should explain each technique separately and make it clear how they apply to your individual case, so you understand exactly what is planned for your operation.
Does Nerve-Sparing Help Urinary Control?
Nerve-sparing surgery is mainly intended to support your erectile recovery rather than your urinary control. After prostate surgery, your continence depends on several structures, including your bladder, urethra, urinary sphincter, pelvic floor muscles, and surrounding support tissues.
Some tissue preservation during surgery may contribute to overall recovery, but nerve-sparing itself is not primarily a continence-preserving technique. It is focused on protecting the nerve bundles that help control erections.
If urinary control is one of your biggest concerns, it is important to ask about your individual continence risk, pelvic floor exercises, what to expect after catheter removal, and whether any continence-preserving surgical approaches may be suitable for you. You may still experience some urinary leakage after surgery even if nerve-sparing is performed, but this often improves over time with healing and support.
What About NeuroSAFE?
NeuroSAFE is a technique used in some specialist centres during prostate cancer surgery. It is designed to help guide nerve-sparing decisions while the operation is taking place.
It works by checking tissue margins during surgery, which can help your surgeon decide whether nerve tissue can be safely preserved without compromising cancer control. According to a 2025 UCLH report, NeuroSAFE includes an additional intraoperative test to confirm that cancerous cells have been fully removed, so that preserving the nerves does not reduce the safety of the surgery.
This approach may help selected patients, but it is not available in all hospitals and is not suitable for every case. If you are interested in this technique, you should ask your surgeon whether intraoperative margin assessment is used in your centre and whether it is relevant to your specific cancer. The most important principle remains the same: your cancer must be removed safely and completely.
What If I Am Not Suitable for Nerve-Sparing?
If you are not suitable for nerve-sparing surgery, it can understandably be difficult news to hear. You may feel worried about your erections, intimacy, confidence, and relationships, and these feelings are completely valid.
However, your surgeon may recommend non-nerve-sparing surgery because it offers a better chance of removing your cancer safely and effectively. This decision is made to prioritise your long-term health and cancer control.
Importantly, this does not mean there is no support available after surgery. Erectile dysfunction treatments may still be discussed with you, including tablets, vacuum devices, injections, or other options depending on your individual situation. You may also benefit from sexual counselling or specialist support to help you adjust and manage recovery.
Is Nerve-Sparing Always Better?
Nerve-sparing is only “better” when it is safe and appropriate for your situation. If your cancer is located away from the nerves, preserving them may improve your chances of erectile recovery after surgery.
However, if your cancer is close to the nerve bundles, attempting to spare them may increase the risk of leaving cancer behind. In that situation, nerve-sparing may not be the best or safest option for you.
This is why the decision must always be individual and based on your specific cancer features. A good surgical outcome is not just about preserving function, but about carefully balancing cancer removal, urinary recovery, sexual function, and your long-term safety.
How Surgeons Decide Suitability
Surgeons do not base nerve-sparing decisions on a single factor. Instead, they carefully review several details together to build a full picture of your cancer and overall situation.
They will look at your MRI findings, biopsy grade, tumour location, PSA level, prostate size, cancer stage, any previous surgery, your anatomy, and your erectile function before surgery. They also consider whether nerve-sparing is likely to be safe on one side, both sides, or not at all.
Your general health and your expectations for recovery are also taken into account. Although a plan is usually made before surgery, it can still be adjusted during the operation if your surgeon feels that safety requires a change. This is why experience and clinical judgement play such an important role in your care.
Factors Surgeons Use to Decide Nerve-Sparing Suitability
| Factor | What Is Assessed | How It Influences Decision |
| MRI scan | Tumour location and spread beyond prostate | Cancer close to capsule or nerve bundles may limit nerve-sparing |
| Biopsy results (Gleason / Grade Group) | Cancer aggressiveness and extent | Higher-grade disease may require wider tissue removal |
| PSA level | Overall cancer activity and risk level | Higher PSA may indicate higher-risk disease requiring caution |
| Tumour location | Whether cancer is near one or both nerve bundles | Determines unilateral, bilateral, or no nerve-sparing |
| Prostate anatomy | Structural variation and surgical access | May affect feasibility of nerve preservation |
| Baseline erectile function | Pre-surgery sexual function quality | Better baseline function improves recovery potential |
| Age | Biological recovery capacity | Younger patients may have higher recovery potential |
| General health | Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, smoking, etc. | Poor vascular health may reduce erectile recovery |
| Surgeon judgement | Intraoperative and clinical experience | Final decision may be adjusted during surgery |
How to Prepare for the Conversation
Before your appointment, it helps to think about what matters most to you so you can discuss it clearly with your surgeon. If your sexual function is important to you, make sure you say this openly, as it helps guide the conversation about nerve-sparing and recovery.
If you already have any erection problems, it is also important to be honest about this. Your surgeon needs accurate information to give you realistic advice about your likely outcomes after surgery.
You may find it helpful to write down your questions before the consultation, as it is easy to forget things when you feel anxious. You can also bring a partner or someone you trust if that helps you feel more comfortable. This is your treatment decision, and you deserve a clear and honest explanation so you can make the choice that feels right for you.
Erectile Rehabilitation After Surgery
Even if nerve-sparing surgery is performed, you may still be advised to follow an erectile rehabilitation plan. This is because the nerves and tissues involved in erections often need time to recover after surgery, even when they are preserved.
Rehabilitation may include tablets, vacuum devices, injections, or other treatments designed to support blood flow and help your sexual function recover gradually. The aim is to support healing and give your nerves and penile tissue the best possible environment for recovery.
As described by the Mayo Clinic, after nerve-sparing prostatectomy, medical therapy may be used to treat erectile dysfunction and support recovery of sexual function. Your rehabilitation plan should be tailored to you, so it is important to ask when treatment may start, how long it may continue, and what options are available if the first approach does not work.
Emotional Impact of Suitability Decisions
Being told that nerve-sparing may not be possible can be emotionally difficult. You may feel disappointed, angry, frightened, or less confident about what lies ahead, and these reactions are completely understandable.
Sexual function is not a minor issue. It can affect how you see yourself, your relationships, your mood, and your overall quality of life. It is natural to feel a sense of loss or worry when this aspect of your care is discussed.
If you feel overwhelmed, it is important to speak to your specialist nurse, GP, counsellor, or a sexual health specialist. You do not need to manage the emotional side of this alone. Your cancer treatment plan should include support for your recovery as a whole person, not just the operation itself.
Speak to Our Specialist
If you are wondering whether you are suitable for nerve-sparing prostate surgery, a specialist consultation can help you understand this decision more clearly and confidently.
You may need advice based on your MRI scan, biopsy results, PSA level, cancer location, prostate anatomy, your current erectile function, and your overall health. All of these factors are considered together to decide whether nerve-sparing on one or both sides may be safe for you.
If you are looking for nerve-sparing prostate surgery in London, you can arrange a consultation to discuss whether preserving one or both nerve bundles is realistic in your case. The right advice should help you understand both the potential benefits and the limitations of nerve-sparing surgery, so you can make an informed decision about your treatment.
FAQs
1. What does nerve-sparing prostate surgery mean?
Nerve-sparing prostate surgery is a specialised approach used during a radical prostatectomy, where the surgeon carefully tries to preserve the neurovascular bundles that control erections. These nerves run very close to the prostate, so preservation is only done when it is considered safe from a cancer control perspective. The aim is to balance effective cancer removal with the best possible chance of preserving sexual function.
2. How do doctors decide if I am suitable for nerve-sparing surgery?
Suitability is based on a combination of clinical and imaging factors. These include your MRI scan, biopsy results (such as Gleason score or Grade Group), PSA level, tumour location, and whether the cancer appears confined to the prostate. Your surgeon will also assess your prostate anatomy, general health, and baseline erectile function. All of these factors are reviewed together to decide whether nerve-sparing can be safely performed on one side, both sides, or not at all.
3. Does everyone with prostate cancer qualify for nerve-sparing surgery?
No, not every patient is suitable for nerve-sparing surgery. If the cancer is close to or involving the nerve bundles, or if it appears higher risk or locally advanced, preserving the nerves may increase the risk of leaving cancer behind. In these cases, your surgeon may recommend a wider excision to prioritise complete cancer removal, even if this affects erectile function afterwards.
4. Can nerve-sparing surgery guarantee that my erections will return?
No, nerve-sparing surgery does not guarantee erectile recovery. Even when nerves are preserved, they can be temporarily affected by stretching, bruising, or surgical trauma. Recovery can take several months to over a year, and results vary between individuals. Factors such as age, pre-operative erectile function, and overall health also strongly influence outcomes.
5. What is the difference between bilateral and unilateral nerve-sparing?
Bilateral nerve-sparing means both nerve bundles on either side of the prostate are preserved, which may offer the best chance of erectile recovery if safe to do so. Unilateral nerve-sparing means only one nerve bundle is preserved, usually because cancer is close to the other side. While unilateral preservation can still support some erectile function, the likelihood of full recovery is generally lower compared with bilateral nerve-sparing.
6. What happens if I am not suitable for nerve-sparing surgery?
If nerve-sparing is not considered safe, your surgeon may remove one or both nerve bundles to ensure complete cancer excision. This can significantly reduce the likelihood of natural erectile recovery. However, this does not mean there are no treatment options afterwards. Erectile dysfunction treatments such as tablets, vacuum devices, injections, or specialist rehabilitation programmes may still help restore sexual function to varying degrees.
7. Does MRI scan determine nerve-sparing suitability?
Yes, MRI plays a crucial role in surgical planning. It provides detailed imaging of the prostate and shows how close the tumour is to the capsule and surrounding structures, including the nerve bundles. If the cancer appears confined and away from the nerves, nerve-sparing may be more feasible. If there are signs of extracapsular extension, nerve preservation may not be safe on the affected side.
8. Can the decision about nerve-sparing change during surgery?
Yes, although a plan is made before surgery, it can be adjusted during the operation. Your surgeon may initially intend to preserve the nerves but change the approach if they find unexpected tumour spread or difficult tissue planes. The priority is always to ensure complete cancer removal, so the surgical plan may be modified in real time to protect long-term outcomes.
9. Does robotic surgery increase the chance of nerve-sparing?
Robotic-assisted surgery provides enhanced precision, magnification, and better visualisation of delicate structures, which can support nerve preservation in suitable cases. However, it does not determine eligibility. The key deciding factor is still whether the cancer can be safely removed while preserving the nerves. If the tumour is too close to the nerve bundles, even robotic techniques cannot make nerve-sparing appropriate.
10. What should I ask my surgeon before nerve-sparing prostate surgery?
It is important to ask clear, specific questions so you fully understand your situation. You may want to ask whether nerve-sparing is possible in your case, whether it can be done on one or both sides, and how your MRI and biopsy results influence this decision. You should also ask about your realistic chances of erectile recovery, what support is available after surgery, and whether the nerve-sparing plan could change during the operation.
Final Thoughts on Suitability for Nerve-Sparing Prostate Surgery
Deciding whether nerve-sparing prostate surgery is suitable is never based on a single test or factor. It is a carefully balanced decision that focuses on removing the cancer safely while also considering the potential for preserving erectile function where it is appropriate. Every patient’s situation is unique, which is why detailed assessment of your MRI, biopsy results, PSA level, tumour location, and overall health is so important.
It is also worth remembering that suitability can only be confirmed after a full specialist review, and plans may sometimes be adjusted during surgery to ensure the safest possible outcome. While nerve-sparing can improve the chances of erectile recovery in the right circumstances, the priority is always long-term cancer control and your overall wellbeing. If you are considering nerve-sparing prostate surgery in London and would like specialist advice, you can contact us to discuss your options and arrange a consultation tailored to your individual needs.
References:
- Zhang, L., Li, X., Wang, Y., Chen, J. and Zhao, H. (2024) Nerve-Sparing Robotic-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy Based on Preoperative MRI and Biopsy Risk Stratification. 17(6), 962. Available at: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/17/6/962
- Ficarra, V., Novara, G., Rosen, R.C., et al. (2017) Systematic review and meta-analysis of nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy and functional outcomes. European Urology, 71(4), pp. 569–580. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7214991
- Patel et al. (2017) Nerve-sparing robotic radical prostatectomy: oncological safety and functional outcomes. Journal of Urology, 197(5), pp. 1332–1340. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3788169/
- Liang, Z., Liu, C., Gu, Q., Gao, Y., Chen, M. and Sun, C. (2024) Effects of different surgical modalities for nerve-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy on postoperative erectile function: a systematic review and one-arm meta-analysis. Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering Reviews. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37078432/
- Goh, H.J., Sung, J.M., Lee, K.H., Jo, J.K. and Kim, K.N. (2022) Efficacy of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors in patients with erectile dysfunction after nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Translational Andrology and Urology. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35280664/