Standardized technique for ejaculation preservation during prostatic endoscopic ablative surgery.

PURPOSE: Ejaculatory dysfunction is the most common side effect of benign prostatic hyperplasia surgery. Modified techniques have emerged with the aim of preserving antegrade ejaculation without compromising obstruction relief. None are standardized or validated. The PARTURP study is a randomized study investigating partial versus complete prostate resection. We conducted an investigator consensus meeting to define the ideal surgical technique to achieve both correct obstruction relief with ejaculation preservation. METHODS: An expert consensus meeting involving all investigators of the PARTURP study took place to define a common technique using the nominal group methodology. The objectives were to define the areas to be resected and the areas to be preserved; to define the criteria for proper obstruction relief; to define the criteria for proper ejaculation preservation. RESULTS: All investigators (n = 15) attended the consensus meeting, and agreement between all the participants was obtained. The anatomical landmarks to be preserved are located around the verumontanum and along the posterior part of the prostatic urethra. These structures must be preserved up to 2 cm from the verumontanum. The participants agreed on the need to preserve the urethral mucosa in all the areas to be preserved and to reach the enucleation plane in the areas of resection. CONCLUSIONS: Anatomical landmarks for ejaculation-sparing surgery have been defined by the investigators of the PARTURP randomized study. These landmarks will be used during the study, and the clinical outcomes of this ejaculation-sparing technique will be compared with complete resection with up to 3 years follow-up.

Preservation of antegrade ejaculation after surgical relief of benign prostatic obstruction is a valid endpoint.

PURPOSE: To review the current data on retrograde ejaculation (RE) and ejaculatory dysfunction (EjD) after endoscopic and minimally invasive surgical treatment of benign prostatic obstruction (BPO) and, their perceived impact in the quality of life (QoL) and sexual life of patients and their partners. METHODS: Narrative review of systematic reviews (SR) assessing comparative rates of RE, EjD or erectile dysfunction (EF) was carried out. Relevant articles on the prevalence of RE, EjD or EF and on their impact in the QoL or sexual life of patients and partners were manually selected based on relevance. RESULTS: Twelve SRs reporting on comparisons of different endoscopic/minimally invasive treatments of BPO were found. Data on outcomes varied widely. Overall, after conventional TURP or laser techniques 42-75% of patients present RE. Prostatic incision and ablative procedures present lowest rates of de novo RE or EjD whereas laser adenomectomy and ejaculation preservation procedures preserve antegrade ejaculation in 46-68% of patients. EjDs is associated to LUTS and present in 10% of sexualy active men before intervention. It modulates the QoL and sexual life of the couple. In spite of the scarce literature assessing patient's and partner's perception of postoperative EjD, it strongly suggests that both parties value the maintenance of the ejaculatory function. CONCLUSION: Ejaculation-preserving techniques and minimally invasive techniques successfully prevent BPO treatment-induced RE or EjD in 70-100% of the cases. While this is appealing to patients and spouses, technique selection and treatment durability are issues to be discussed with the couple.

Do patients have to choose between ejaculation and miction? A systematic review about ejaculation preservation technics for benign prostatic obstruction surgical treatment.

PURPOSE: Ejaculatory dysfunction is the most common side effect related to surgical treatment of benign prostatic obstruction (BPO). Nowadays, modified surgical techniques and non-ablative techniques have emerged with the aim of preserving antegrade ejaculation. Our objective was to conduce a systematic review of the literature regarding efficacy on ejaculatory preservation of modified endoscopic surgical techniques, and mini-invasive non-ablatives techniques for BPO management. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was carried out on the PubMed database using the following MESH terms: "Prostatic Hyperplasia/surgery" and "Ejaculation", in combination with the following keywords: "ejaculation preservation", "photoselective vaporization of the prostate", "photoselective vapo-enucleation of the prostate", "holmium laser enucleation of the prostate", "thulium laser", "prostatic artery embolization", "urolift", "rezum", and "aquablation". RESULTS: The ejaculation preservation rate of modified-TURP ranged from 66 to 91%. The ejaculation preservation rate of modified-prostate photo-vaporization ranged from 87 to 96%. The only high level of evidence studies available compared prostatic urethral lift (PUL) and aquablation versus regular TURP in prospective randomized-controlled trials. The ejaculation preservation rate of either PUL or aquablation compared to regular TURP was 100 and 90 versus 34%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Non-ablative therapies and modified endoscopic surgical techniques seemed to be reasonable options for patients eager to preserve their ejaculatory functions.

Evaluating outcomes of combined bladder neck and supramontanal sparing ejaculatory preserving transurethral resection of the prostate: Results from a prospective, randomised study.

Introduction: Although conventional transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is highly successful in improving urinary symptoms and flow rates, a higher incidence of loss of antegrade ejaculation has been reported. Therefore, we aimed at prospectively comparing the efficacy and outcomes of a novel dual bladder neck and supramontanal sparing TURP to conventional TURP to improve voiding and ejaculation. Material and methods: Between January 2019 and November 2020, all patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) satisfying the eligibility criteria underwent either conventional TURP (Group 1) or combined bladder neck and supramontanal sparing TURP (Group 2) after randomisation. The groups were compared for functional outcomes including International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), peak flow rates, post-void residual urine, perioperative variables and postoperative complications. Ejaculation was assessed with International Index of Erectile Function-Question 9 (IIEF-9) and Ejaculation Projection score (EPS). Results: A total of 90 patients were randomised, 45 each to Group 1 and 2 respectively. The demographic profiles across both groups were comparable. Retrograde ejaculation and bladder neck contracture were significantly higher in Group 1. Both groups demonstrated significant improvement in the IPSS (26.12 ±2.88 to 4.69 ±0.87 (Group 1) vs 26.60 ±3.45 to 4.36 ±1.74 in Group 2) and Qmax (7.03 ±2.71 to 24.36 ±3.82 mL/s in Group 1 vs 6.29 ±2.64 to 25.28 ±4.33 mL/s in Group 2) at 3 months. However, a significant difference in IPSS and Qmax were recorded at 6 months. IIEF-9 score in Group 2 remained similar to preoperative profile (4.18 ±0.75) vs 2.58 ±0.86 (Group 1). EPS significantly decreased in Group 1 but remained similar to preoperative EPS in Group 2. Antegrade ejaculation was preserved in 88.89% in Group 2 as compared to 22.22% in Group 1. Conclusions: Dual bladder neck and supramontanal ejaculation preserving TURP is superior to conventional TURP in preventing retrograde ejaculation and bladder neck contractures in prostates <50 cc with comparable functional results, perioperative and postoperative morbidity.