The relationship between photoselective vaporization of the prostate and sexual function.

Although transurethral resection of the prostate remains the gold standard treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms that are refractory to medical therapy, photovaporization of the prostate (PVP) has become a popular alternative. Early PVP studies have been encouraging, but insufficient data exist regarding the effects of PVP on long-term sexual function. This article analyzes the published data and briefly reviews the literature. The studies on PVP are heterogeneous, and other than one that showed a decreased International Index of Erectile Function score after PVP, all the studies analyzed the population at large and did not focus on preoperatively potent patients. Further well-conducted and prospective studies are needed to confirm the impact of PVP on erectile function.