Introduction: Treatment of localized prostate cancer refers to two basic modes which are the radical retro pubic prostatectomy and external radiotherapy. However, according to most authors, radical prostatectomy is the gold standard for long-term survival. Objective: To determine the occurrence of erectile dysfunction after radical operative treatment and irradiation therapy. Material and methods: In this paper we have examined the occurrence of erectile dysfunction after conducted treatment for localized prostate cancer. In this paper we have examined 84 of 138 patients who underwent radical retro pubic prostatectomy at the Urology Clinic in the period from January 2009 to December 2010 and 26 patients who underwent radical external radiotherapy in the same period, because of localized prostate cancer. Results: The average age of surgical patients was 65 years, the youngest patient was 49 years and the oldest 81 years. From the 84 patients which underwent surgery, neurovascular preservation of nerve bundles was done in 36 (42.8%) patients from which bilateral in 28 patients (77.7%) and unilateral in 8 patients (22.2%). Average age of patients who underwent irradiation therapy was 68 years. Conclusion: Erectile dysfunction occurs in greater proportion after radical retro pubic prostatectomy compared to radiation treatment, and the preservation of both neurovascular bundles reduces this difference.

INTRODUCTION Radical retropubic prostatectomy is a therapeutic option for treatment of localized prostate cancer. The goal of radical prostatectomy is to completely remove the tumor while preserving erectile function and urinary continence as well as factors that determine the postoperative quality of life. There are many factors influencing sexual function after radical prostatectomy of localized prostate cancer. All factors can be divided into the preoperative, postoperative and intraoperative. In this paper we examine the significance of individual factors affecting erectile dysfunction following surgical treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study included 36 patients who underwent nerve sparing radical prostatectomy at the Urology Clinic, Clinical Center of Sarajevo University in period from January 2009 until December 2010. RESULTS Out of 84 patients tested, radical retropubic prostatectomy with the reservation of neurovascular bundles was performed in 36 patients (42.8%). Of this number, both of the neurovascular bundles were preserved in 28 patients (77.7%) and one in 8 patients (22.2%). CONCLUSION The positive predictive factor for erectile function after radical retropubic prostatectomy is the preoperative sexual function, younger age, preservation of both neurovascular bundles and early rehabilitation therapy.