[Evaluation of a nurse educational program for intracavernous alprostadil injections after radical prostatectomy].

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate a nurse educational program for penile rehabilitation after radical prostatectomy (RP) based on intracavernous alprostadil injection (IAI).

PATIENTS: One hundred consecutive patients started IAI one month after RP under the supervision of a nurse practitioner (day 0). Patients performed the first injection (2.5 μg); they were advised to increase gradually the dose of alprostadil until having satisfactory erections. Patients having difficulties with IAI were called back by the nurse. They received a medical follow-up at the uro-oncology department at 6 months. We assessed at D0, D15 and at 6 months: the ability to complete the IAI, the occurrence of priapism, the injected doses, the recovery of sexual function (EHS and GAQ scores), and pain in erection (numeric rating scale).

RESULTS

Eighty-one percent of patients were very satisfied with the educational program. On day 15, 93% of patients achieved IAI (mean injected dose: 5.2 μg). No priapism was noted. The treatment had ameliorated erections in 80% of cases (GAQ); 47% of patients had erections hard enough to allow penetration (EHS>2) and 39% had sexual intercourses. Pain to erection (3.9/10 on average) represented a motive of request for recall for 2/3 of the patients. At 6 months, the dropout rate was 31%; mean pain level, EHS score and injected dose were respectively 3.2/10, 2.9/4 and 8.8 μg.

CONCLUSIONS

The nurse educational program for penile rehabilitation after RP was associated with satisfactory rates of self-injection accomplishment and treatment observance. However, close and prolonged follow up was necessary because of post-IAI penile pain.