Perioperative Educational Interventions and Contemporary Sexual Function Outcomes of Radical Prostatectomy

Men undergoing prostatectomy can have unrealistic preoperative expectations regarding sexual function after surgery and may desire more education on recovery and symptom management. To present contemporary data on recovery of sexual function after prostatectomy and characterize how it is impacted by perioperative patient educational interventions. A comprehensive review of the English-language literature available by PubMed search. Rates of sexual function recovery after prostatectomy and the impact of educational interventions on these and related outcomes. Available studies describe heterogeneous educational and support interventions that differ by patient selection, content, method of delivery, timing, and duration. Interventions with group-based education or peer support benefitted sexual satisfaction metrics. Many studies included men and their partners in supportive interventions. However, the few randomized controlled trials directly analyzing the effect of partner attendance revealed no additional benefit to outcomes. Interventions within 6 weeks of prostatectomy variably aided measures of sexual recovery. Some studies with greater time between prostate cancer treatment and interventions revealed only temporary improvements in outcomes. Yet durable improvements in sexual satisfaction and sexual function were observed in some men enrolled years after prostate cancer treatment. At times, web-based interventions had lower completion rates, but sexual function outcomes were comparable to traditional in-person interventions within randomized trials. Educational interventions imparted variable benefit to sexual function and satisfaction, with group-based designs mostly benefitting satisfaction outcomes. Despite standardized interventions, men reported worse-than-expected outcomes, suggesting an emphasis on counseling regarding changes in erectile function at multiple time points before surgery and during the recovery period may be helpful. Earlier interventions may help with recovery by establishing more accurate patient expectations. Regarding accessibility, future endeavors may be improved with internet-based educational content, as such interventions appeared to provide comparable benefits to in-person sessions. Faris AER, Montague DK, Gill BC. Perioperative Educational Interventions and Contemporary Sexual Function Outcomes of Radical Prostatectomy. Sex Med Rev 2019;7:293–305.