Prostatectomy and impotence: can temperature variations around the prostate during TURP explain postprostatectomy impotence?

A considerable number of patients (4-35%) experience sexual dysfunction after treatment for BPH with a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). The aim of this study was to elucidate whether heat, generated by the resectoscope during TUR-P, can be transmitted to the surrounding tissue to an extent that may damage the penile innervation.