Early return to continence and potency with use of dehydrated human umbilical cord graft at the time of robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy: A case study and analysis of relevant literature

Abstract

Introduction Robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy often causes damage to the neurovascular bundle which results in erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence. Recovery may take months; however, dehydrated umbilical cord allografts appear to offer an advantage in terms of a faster return to continence and potency. Case presentation A 67‐year‐old male, who presented with intermediate‐risk prostate cancer, underwent a bilateral nerve‐sparing radical prostatectomy and placement of dehydrated human umbilical cord graft. Four weeks post‐prostatectomy, the patient reported minimal stress urinary incontinence and erections with 75% rigidity. Three months post‐prostatectomy, the patient noted improved continence and erections with 100% rigidity. Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the second experience reported in the literature evaluating the use of umbilical cord allograft during robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy, with promising results, and it is the first reported case to analyze potency as an outcome.

Keywords

• dehydrated umbilical cord allograft
• erectile dysfunction
• robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy
• urinary incontinence