In patients scheduled for radical prostatectomies (RP), preoperative (pre-op) erectile function (EF) characterization may be complicated by social and medical factors. We investigated pre-op use of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE5i) as a simple metric for predicting long-term postoperative EF.

Electronic medical records (EMRs) for consecutive men who underwent RP between January 2004 and March 2009 at our institution were retrospectively reviewed. Data extracted included demographics, pre-op PDE5i use, cancer treatment details, post-op EF and ED treatment. Predictor variable data were categorical pre-op PDE5i use (pre-op PDE5i use vs. pre-op PDE5i naïve). ANOVA and Chi squared test were used.

A total of 250 individuals out of 436 charts met inclusion criteria. Mean follow-up length was 4.2 years (range 2–7). Thirty-seven men (15%) used PDE5i preoperatively. There were no differences in mean age at RP, type of nerve-sparing surgery (NSS), or medical comorbidities between groups. No men with pre-op PDE5i use regained unassisted EF but 37% regained PDE5i-assisted EF after bilateral nerve sparing (BNS). No men with pre-op PDE5i use regained unassisted or PDE5i-assisted EF after unilateral (UNS) or non-nerve-sparing surgery (NNS).

Pre-op PDE5i use predicts poor long-term EF outcomes after RP and should be included in pre-op patient counseling.