Improvement of erectile function in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia undergoing transurethral plasmakinetic resection of the prostate

Objective: Although transurethral resection of the prostate remains the gold standard surgical treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia, transurethral plasmakinetic resection of the prostate has become a popular alternative. This study investigated the effects of plasmakinetic resection of the prostate on erectile function. Methods: A total of 400 patients that underwent plasmakinetic resection of the prostate or transurethral resection of the prostate were prospectively enrolled in this study. Of these, 384 patients met the inclusion criteria. One experienced surgeon carried out all the procedures. The International Prostate Symptom Score, International Index of Erectile Function-5, maximum flow rate and ultrasound postvoid residual volume were determined, and evaluated preoperatively and at 12 months postoperatively. Prostate-specific antigen, age and prostate volume of each patient were recorded. Results: The median International Index of Erectile Function-5 score of plasmakinetic resection of the prostate patients significantly increased from 8.0 (interquartile range 7.0-9.0) preoperatively to 21.0 (19.0-22.0) at 12 months postoperatively (P<0.05). The score of plasmakinetic resection of the prostate patients was significantly higher than that of the transurethral resection of the prostate group (P<0.05); however, the International Prostate Symptom Score of the plasmakinetic resection of the prostate group was not significantly different from that of the transurethral resection of the prostate group (P>0.05). Conclusions: A significant improvement in erectile function can be observed at 12 months in patients undergoing plasmakinetic resection of the prostate. Despite these encouraging findings, the effects of plasma kinetic resection of the prostate on erectile function remain to be further studied.