Sexual dysfunction after prostatectomy.

One of the major and disconcerting complications of prostatectomy is impotence. Several studies have reported only a small reduction in potency rates following prostatectomy but have not examined the effect of surgery per se on a group of men in whom one could expect a significant incidence of reduced potency. In order to rectify this defect, a prospective study was undertaken to assess the effect of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and other general surgical procedures on two age-matched populations. In all cases potency and ejaculatory function and frequency of intercourse were assessed pre- and post-operatively. Potency was retained in 86% of men undergoing TURP and in all of the men undergoing general surgical procedures (p less than 0.01). Of those men who indicated that they were capable of having sexual intercourse prior to operation, 88% were unaffected by TURP. In the general surgical group 97% were unaffected. Thus it would appear that TURP has a significant effect on sexual function which cannot be accounted for by the stress of surgery or the age of the population undergoing operation.