New Insights Into the Pathogenesis of Penile Shortening After Radical Prostatectomy and the Role of Postoperative Sexual Function

Penile shortening after radical prostatectomy peaks at the time of catheter removal and it continues to a lesser but still significant degree for at least 1 year. Nerve sparing surgery and recovery of erectile function appeared to have an independent protective effect on penile length loss at 1 year. These figures should be taken in consideration when counseling patients for radical prostatectomy.