Do Minimally Invasive Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Treatments Preserve Sexual Function? A Contemporary Review of the Literature.

The aim of this study is to compare the sexual function outcomes related to minimally invasive surgical therapies (MISTs) (UroLift®, Rezum™, Aquablation®, prostate artery embolization, and iTind®) for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Clinical trials and retrospective data evaluating MISTs for BPH have demonstrated improved or stable sexual function outcomes when compared to sham control or transurethral resection of the prostate. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and following treatments using patient-reported outcome measures. Rezum and Aquablation demonstrated preservation of overall ejaculatory function and erectile function at 36-month follow-up. Similar outcomes occurred with UroLift after a 60-month follow-up. Erectile function was preserved following prostate artery embolization and iTIND up to 12 months. MIST for the management of BPH has been demonstrated to be effective in improving urinary function and appears to minimize potential collateral damage on sexual function following treatment.

Current urology reports. 2021 Nov 02*** epublish ***

Joseph Kim, Michael Polchert, Benjamin Chacko, Jacob Tannenbaum, Omer Raheem

Department of Urology, Tulane University School of Medicine, 1430 Tulane Ave, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA., The University of Chicago Medical Center, Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, USA. .