Change in intraoperative rectal temperature influencing erectile dysfunction following transurethral resection of the...

In this study, we assessed the relationship between changes in intraoperative rectal temperature and erectile function in patients who have undergone transurethral resection of the prostate.

Eighty-six potential patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia-induced lower urinary tract symptoms were studied. Patients were divided into two groups: group 1-small prostates (<40 ml) and group 2-large prostates (≥ 40 ml), as determined by transrectal ultrasound measurement. The intraoperative rectal temperature was evaluated using a transrectal thermosensor and the differences between the highest intra- and preoperative temperatures were recorded. The erectile function at baseline, at three months and at one-year postoperatively was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) questionnaire.

Intraoperative rectal temperature differences were 0.54 ± 0.24°C for group 1 (n=45) and 0.44 ± 0.20°C for group 2 (n=41), (p=0.04). The IIEF-5 scores for group1 and group 2 were, respectively, 20.9 ± 1.6 and 20.6 ± 1.6 at baseline (p=0.32), 17.3 ± 2.9 and 18.7 ± 3.2 (p=0.037) at 3 months, 17.9 ± 2.7 and 18.7 ± 3.0 (p=0.17) at 1 year postoperatively. The deterioration of erectile function at 3 months post-operatively was observed for both groups. The percentage of retrograde ejaculation between two groups was not significantly different (p=0.33) at 1 year postoperatively.

Our study revealed that a higher intraoperative rectal temperature difference caused by transurethral resection of the prostate might affect the postoperative erectile function, particularly in patients with a small prostate.