A surgical technique that preserves the branches of the pelvic plexus that innervate the corpora cavernosa was employed during radical retropubic prostatectomy in 64 men and radical cystoprostatectomy in 11 men. In patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy, sexual function returned gradually in the vast majority of patients post-operatively and by 1 year 86% were potent. The age of the patient did not influence post-operative potency but potency did correlate with clinical and pathological stage. Preliminary data suggest that deliberate excision of the neurovascular bundle unilaterally did not adversely affect potency. Of the 11 patients who underwent radical cystoprostatectomy, 82% have erections. Of the 6 patients with sexual partners who have been followed for 1 year, 4 (67%) are potent. These data suggest that erectile function can be preserved in most patients following radical prostatectomy and cystoprostatectomy