EARLY EXPERIENCE OF CORPORA-CAVERNOSA ELECTROMYOGRAPHY IN IMPOTENT PATIENTS AFTER RADICAL CYSTOPROSTATECTOMY

Objectives: To assess the effects of autonomic nerve damage on the bas is of cavernous electrical changes. Methods: A study was carried out o n the cavernous electrical activity in healthy volunteers (controls) a nd impotent patients after radical cystoprostatectomy using a specific electromyographical device, the 'SPACE-recorder 7500'. Results: A sig nificant reduction in the amplitude of potentials was recorded after p harmacological 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 +/- 1 41 vs. 381 +/- 227 mu V, p < 0.01). After 'nerve-sparing' radical cyst ectomy with a mean amplitude similar to controls (500-700 mu V), the p atients 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 wich can directly point out damage in the cavernous smooth muscle and the penile autonom ic nerves.