Assessment of changes in sexual function in patients undergoing endoscopic surgery for upper urinary tract lithiasis

To evaluate the effect of endoscopic surgery on sexual function in patients with upper urinary tract (UUT) lithiasis.

We conducted an observational, prospective, longitudinal study with a single cohort of cases undergoing ureteroscopy (URS), retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS), or endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery (ECIRS). Patients' sexual response was assessed with questionnaires in the 30 days prior to surgery, and at one and three months after surgery. The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-t) was used in male patients, and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was used in female patients.

Seventy patients - 34 men and 36 women - completed the study. Among men, the IIEF-t did not show significant difference between baseline scores (64.1 ± 7.50) and those obtained at 3 months (63.8 ± 9.51), with a non-significant decrease (p = 0.054) at the first month (61.4 ± 10.4). Subdomains did not worsen at 3 months, and desire (IIEF-SD) improved from 7.3 ± 1.9 to 8.0 ± 1.8. Among women, the FSFI-t did not change significantly after surgery: baseline score (27.3 ± 4.1), 1-month score (26.8 ± 3.7) and 3-month score (27.5 ± 4.2). No subdomain worsened at the third month.

Endoscopic surgery for UUT is a safe technique in both sexes with no negative effect on sexual function. There are no differences between the baseline IIEF-t and FSFI-t scores and those obtained at 3 months.