The Cavernous Nerve Injury Rat Model: A Pictorial Essay on Post-Radical Prostatectomy Erectile Dysfunction Research
Silviu Constantin Latcu,
Dorin Novacescu,
Victor-Bogdan Buciu,
Cristina-Stefania Dumitru,
Raluca Amalia Ceausu,
Marius Raica,
Talida Georgiana Cut,
Razvan Ilina,
Daniel Claudiu Malita,
Cristi Tarta,
Alin Adrian Cumpanas
Affiliations
Silviu Constantin Latcu
Doctoral School, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, E. Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Dorin Novacescu
Department II, Discipline of Histology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, E. Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Victor-Bogdan Buciu
Doctoral School, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, E. Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Cristina-Stefania Dumitru
Department II, Discipline of Histology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, E. Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Raluca Amalia Ceausu
Department II, Discipline of Histology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, E. Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Marius Raica
Department II, Discipline of Histology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, E. Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Talida Georgiana Cut
Doctoral School, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, E. Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Razvan Ilina
Department IX, Discipline of Surgical Semiology II, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, E. Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Daniel Claudiu Malita
Department XV, Discipline of Radiology and Medical Imaging, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, E. Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Cristi Tarta
Department X, Discipline of General Surgery II, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, E. Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Alin Adrian Cumpanas
Department XV, Discipline of Urology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, E. Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Understanding and addressing post-radical prostatectomy (RP) erectile dysfunction (ED) is of paramount importance for clinicians. Cavernous nerve (CN) injury rat model studies have provided consistently promising experimental data regarding regaining erectile function (EF) after nerve damage-induced ED. However, these findings have failed to translate efficiently into clinical practice, with post-RP ED therapeutic management remaining cumbersome and enigmatic. This disparity highlights the need for further standardization and optimization of the elaborate surgical preparation protocols and multifaceted reporting parameters involved in reliable CN injury rat model experimentation. Even so, despite its technical complexity, this animal model remains instrumental in exploring the functional implications of RP, i.e., surgical lesions of the neurovascular bundles (NVBs). Herein, besides cavernous nerve (CN) dissection, injury, and electrostimulation, multiple pressure measurements, i.e., mean arterial pressure (MAP) and intra-cavernosal pressure (ICP), must also be achieved. A transverse cervical incision allows for carotid artery cannulation and MAP measurements. Conversely, ICP measurements entail circumcising the penis, exposing the ischiocavernous muscle, and inserting a needle into the corporal body. Finally, using an abdominal incision, the prostate is revealed, and the major pelvic ganglia (MPG) and CNs are dissected bilaterally. Specific surgical techniques are used to induce CN injuries. Herein, we provide a narrative and illustrative overview regarding these complex experimental procedures and their particular requirements, reflecting on current evidence and future research perspectives.
