REVIEW   Free access

Minerva Urologica e Nefrologica 2018 December;70(6):546-58

DOI: 10.23736/S0393-2249.18.03157-0

Copyright © 2018 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Strategies to improve nerve regeneration after radical prostatectomy: a narrative review

Stefano GEUNA ^{1, 2} ✉, Luisa MURATORI ^{1, 2}, Federica FREGNAN ^{1, 2}, Matteo MANFREDI ³, Riccardo BERTOLO ^{3, 4}, Francesco PORPIGLIA ³

¹ Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Orbassano, Turin, Italy; Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), Orbassano, Turin, Italy; ³ Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Orbassano, Turin, Italy; ⁴ Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA

Peripheral nerves are complex organs that spread throughout the entire human body. They are frequently affected by lesions not only as a result of trauma but also following radical tumor resection. In fact, despite the advancement in surgical techniques, such as nerve-sparing robot assisted radical prostatectomy, some degree of nerve injury may occur resulting in erectile dysfunction with significant impairment of the quality of life. The aim of this review was to provide an overview on the mechanisms of the regeneration of injured peripheral nerves and to describe the potential strategies to improve the regeneration process and the functional recovery. Yet, the recent advances in bio-engineering strategies to promote nerve regeneration in the urological field are outlined with a view on the possible future regenerative therapies which might ameliorate the functional outcome after radical prostatectomy.

KEY WORDS: Peripheral nerves - Regeneration - Prostatectomy - Biocompatible materials