The Oxford Laser Prostate Trial: sexual function data from a randomized controlled clinical trial of contact laser prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effects of contact laser vaporization prostatectomy and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) on sexual function and to examine their association with treatment satisfaction.

METHODS

Data on sexual function were collected pre-operatively and 3 months after contact laser vaporization prostatectomy or TURP. The sexual outcome was examined in relation to satisfaction with treatment and quality of life.

RESULTS

A wide variation in sexual function was seen at baseline with overall 45% of the patients being impotent during the previous year and 49% claiming to not always have erections when stimulated 1 month prior to surgery. At 3 months postoperatively, 4% of the laser and 3% of the TURP patients who were previously potent were now impotent. There were no statistically significant associations between preoperative or postoperative (3 months) sexual function and either age, preoperative catheterization, or prostate volume.

CONCLUSION

The impotence rate 1 month prior to surgery is higher than in previous reports, and the impotence rate after contact laser prostatectomy in this sample size is similar to that seen following TURP.