Is my post robotic protatectomy surgery condition normal?

[ekofoto]

On March 19th,2007, I had robotic protatectomy surgery performed.  I was told the proceedure was difficult and took several hours to perform.  Now, 4 months later, I am still incontinent and have not been able to achieve an erection since the surgery.  When I do have an ejaculation I ejaculate urine. The condition does not seem to be improving.  Is this a normal side effect of this surgery? If so, how common is it and what are my prospects for a return to normalcy?  

[andy387]

A related discussion, incontinence and impotence post robotic prostatectomy was started.

[ekofoto]

I spoke with my surgeon and he said that the surgery was nerve saving.  He also put me on "IMIPRAM" for my incontinence and since the viagra didn't work he put me on "CIALIS".  

Based on this information, would it be your opinion that I can sexpect a full recovery over time?  Or that the incontinence and urine ejaculations are permanent?

Thank you

[ekofoto]

Please excuse the misspelling of your name on the previous post.

Thank you

[Ash Tewari, MD, M.Ch.]

Urinary incontinence after robotic prostatectomy is usually a temporary phenomenon
in the vast majority of the cases and during the first postoperative year a significant improvement could be expected.
You have not provided the operative details of the procedure i.e whether it is nerve sparing surgery or not. Sparing of the neurovascular bundle during the surgery has a impact on the recovery of both incontinence and potency.
Recent studies mention that neurovascular bundle preservation can improve postoperative continence [1] . After a minimum 1-year follow-up the urinary continence rate of upto 87.4% can be expected [2].

Getting some details about the surgery (i.e whether nerve sparing on one or both sides) may further help us in predicting the recoverability.


References
1) Graefen M, Walz J, Huland H: Open retropubic nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy. Eur Urol 2006; 49: 38