Clinical Studies on Vacuum Therapy
The Use of Vacuum Erection Devices in Erectile Dysfunction After Radical Prostatectomy
Conclusions: Penile rehabilitation programs are increasingly used to facilitate the return of natural postoperative erections; the VED is an ideal therapy given that it increases blood flow and oxygenation to the corpora to reverse the changes that result in ED in the first place. Therefore, the VED should not be underestimated in its ability to aid in penile rehabilitation after prostatectomy.
Preservation of penile length after radical prostatectomy: early intervention with a vacuum erection device
Conclusions: When compared to prior studies where 48% of men after surgery had a significant reduction in SPL, early intervention with the daily use of a VED resulted in a significantly lower risk of loss of penile length (P<0.0001). For men wishing to preserve penile health/length after surgery, early intervention with the daily use of a VED should be strongly recommended.
Treatment of erectile dysfunction with external vacuum devices
Conclusions: Vacuum therapy is a safe and effective non-invasive treatment of erectile dysfunction with a limited primary acceptance and low drop-out rates in long-term follow-ups.
The role of vacuum erection devices in penile rehabilitation after radical prostatectomy
Conclusions: The underlying hypothesis is that the artificial induction of erections shortly after surgery facilitates tissue oxygenation, reducing cavernosal fibrosis in the absence of nocturnal erections, potentially increasing the likelihood of preserving EF. Vacuum erection devices (VED), because of their ability to draw blood into the penis regardless of nerve disturbance, have become the centerpiece of penile rehabilitation protocols.
A Pilot Study to Determine Penile Oxygen Saturation Before and After Vacuum Therapy in Patients with Erectile Dysfunction After Radical Prostatectomy
Conclusions: Use of the VED significantly increased both glanular and corporal oximetry relative to the baseline values for the entire 60 minutes. An initial increase of 55% was seen in corporal oxygenation with VED use. This is the first study demonstrating that a single, brief application of the VED without a constriction ring results in significant improvement in penile oxygen saturation. The use of a VED has significant benefits for patients both with regard to cost and invasiveness when compared with other penile rehabilitation protocols.
Long-term potency after early use of a vacuum erection device following radical prostatectomy
Conclusions: Despite current phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor treatments for ED, VED is becoming recognized again as having a primary role in early penile rehabilitation in many patients, specifically those treated for prostate cancer.
Vacuum therapy in erectile dysfunction—science and clinical evidence
Conclusions: The most striking use of VED is penile rehabilitation after RP or other pelvic injuries. As data are increasingly being accumulated from clinical and basic research, the movement is gaining support to establish VED therapy as the centerpiece of PR protocol for post-prostatectomy/pelvic injuries. VT in general will be an indispensable modality in the urological armamentarium for the management of ED and related conditions.