To assess the effectiveness of combining sildenafil citrate with a vacuum constriction device (VCD) in men (after radical prostatectomy) unsatisfied with the results of the VCD alone.

A total of 31 patients unsatisfied with the early use of VCD alone after radical prostatectomy (mean follow-up of 4.5 months) were instructed to take 100 mg of sildenafil 1 to 2 hours before VCD use for sexual intercourse. Patients used combination therapy for a minimum of five attempts before assessment with the abridged International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire and a visual analogue scale to gauge rigidity. The effect of combination therapy on the total IIEF-5 score and penile rigidity score were assessed.

Of the 31 patients, 7 (22%) had no improvement with the addition of sildenafil with VCD and discontinued the drug, and 24 (77%) reported improved penile rigidity and sexual satisfaction. The IIEF-5 score revealed statistically significant improvement in each domain, and patients reported that sildenafil enhanced their erections 100% of the time. The penile rigidity scores on a scale of 0 to 100 with the VCD alone averaged 55% (range 23% to 85%) for the men and 59% (range 26% to 90%) for their partners. With the addition of sildenafil, it increased to 76% for the men and 82% for their partners. Of the 24 men, 7 (30%) reported a return of natural erections at 18 months using combination therapy, with 5 of 7 reporting erections sufficient for vaginal penetration.

In this study, the addition of sildenafil with VCD improved sexual satisfaction and penile rigidity in patients unsatisfied with VCD alone after radical prostatectomy.