Medical Reports: Saving Sex Lives

WSVN -- Obdulio Piedra never had any serious medical problems until a recent visit to the doctor.

Obdulio Piedra: "During that annual examination he felt there was an issue with my prostate."

Then came the news he didn't expect.

Obdulio Piedra: "I got the call that no one wants to get."

Obdulio had prostate cancer.

Sanjay Razdan, Director of the Urology Center at Jackson South Hospital:  "Prostate cancer is the number one leading cancer amongst American men."

Doctors at Jackson South Hospital say the greatest challenge is in the treatment.

Sanjay Razdan: "The prostate ideally is situated in a place where you can have a lot of collateral damage."

Damage that can lead to urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction major worries for patients.

Obdulio Piedra: "That was always a concern."

So Dr. Sanjay Razdan started looking at ways to preserve a man's sex life after surgery. Then he got an idea.

Sanjay Razdan: "Human amniotic membrane."

Amniotic membrane is part of the placenta which surrounds the fetus. It's been used for years in the treatment of burn wounds.

Dr. Razdan began placing the amniotic membrane in patients during surgery to remove the cancer.

It works by protecting the nerves from scar tissue, reducing inflammation and providing growth factors. So far, it's been a success.

Sanjay Razdan: "We had a trial on 10 of our patients and the results were just unbelievable."

Just a month after surgery, Obdulio is back to his regular activities and says his love life hasn't missed a beat.

Obdulio Piedra: "It's been a remarkable recovery."

He's lost 25 pounds and says he has never felt better.

Obdulio Piedra: "I'm cancer free, which is actually the best news and gift that I've gotten this year."

Mike Marza: "Dr. Razdan says the procedure is not for everyone. Only patients who have had a healthy sex life before surgery."

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Dr. Sanjay Razdan
Urology Center of Excellence at Jackson Hospital South
9380 SW 150th Street, Suite 200
Miami, FL 33176
Tel: (305) 251-8650
www.miamiroboticprostatectomy.com