Prostate cancer surgery technique reduces risk of erectile dysfunction

A more precise form of prostate cancer surgery nearly doubles the chances of men retaining erectile function afterwards compared with standard surgery, according to the first major trial of the procedure.

- Ian Sample

Doctors in five UK hospitals assessed the surgical approach that aims to preserve crucial nerves running through the outer layer of the prostate and thought to be responsible for producing erections.

Known as NeuroSafe, the procedure involves checking prostate tissue removed from the patient while the operation is underway.

If the examination suggests the tumour has been removed, the nerve-containing outer layer of the prostate can be left intact, reducing the patient's risk of erectile problems.

Prof Greg Shaw, the trial lead and a consultant urologist at University College London hospitals NHS foundation trust, said: "This procedure gives surgeons feedback during the surgery to give them the certainty they need to spare as many nerves as possible and give men increased hope of recovering their sexual potency after their cancer is surgically removed."

Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in men in England, with 50,000 cases diagnosed each year.