moderately nerve sparing

My brother had prostate surgery 7 weeks ago and on the report it says they spared the nerves where possible. I called the nurse and she told me it was a moderately nerve spare can anyone tell me what that means. My brother does not ask I think its because he is afraid of what he will hear. He is 53.
Thanks

Post Edited (denisew151) : 11/12/2014 5:08:48 PM (GMT-7)

In a perfect world the prostate is removed cleanly and the surgeon stays well away from the neurovascular bundles on either side -- (s)he doesn't cut them, or tug on them, or heat them up cauterizing small bleeders nearby -- that's in a perfect world. Apparently your brother's surgeon wasn't there in that happy place during the operation. In order to get out the parts that had to go, the nerve bundles were bothered quite a bit -- but most of them were left beat-up but intact.

Your brother should expect to struggle with erectile dysfunction after surgery. Some guys don't have any problems, even with nerves only moderately spared, but most do. It is likely to gradually get worse for the first few months as the disturbed nerves sulk and then, in most cases, it will gradually get better (which can take years). In the meanwhile he should talk to his doctor about drugs and devices to help.

Since there is only so much of this sort of advice a man is comfortable getting from his sister (Denise, right?) you might encourage him to talk to us directly.

Welcome to the forum. Glad you found us. Hope we can help.

Denise,

have a read of www.prostate.com.au/treatments-available/radical-prostatectomy/nerve-sparing/

its a journey and it takes awhile ...

It a very sensitive issue, so much so, that the men at my Prostate Support Group hardly speak about it. Could be because many attend the meeting with their wives, which is a good thing. But things sexual tend to get marginalised, we like to talk about and get "scientists" to inform us about drugs and therapies for the Cancer.

all the best!
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