Early Experience of Corpora cavernosa Electromyography in Impotent Patients after Radical Cystoprostatectomy

OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of autonomic nerve damage on the basis of cavernous electrical changes. METHODS A study was carried out on the cavernous electrical activity in healthy volunteers (controls) and impotent patients after radical cystoprostatectomy using a specific electromyographical device, the 'SPACE-recorder 7500'. RESULTS A significant reduction in the amplitude of potentials was recorded after pharmacological stimulation in both the controls and impotent patients. The healthy controls showed amplitude values which were significantly higher than the impotent patients after radical cystectomy (715 +/- 141 vs. 381 +/- 227 microV, p < 0.01). After 'nerve-sparing' radical cystectomy with a mean amplitude similar to controls (500-700 microV), the patients showed rigid erections after injection of intracavernous drugs in a high percentage of cases. CONCLUSION In our experience, corpora cavernosa electromyography seems a reliable method which can directly point out damage in the cavernous smooth muscle and the penile autonomic nerves.