title: Impaired nocturnal erections and impotence following transurethral prostatectomy.
abstract: A case of impotence with significantly impaired nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) following transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is described. The patient was studied with polysomnographic recording including measurements of NPT for three consecutive nights at nine months after surgery and showed a total absence of full erections. Possible causes of his impotence are discussed. It is concluded that the total clinical picture strongly suggests that the erectile dysfunction was a result of physiologic complications of the surgery. Methodologic problems in past work are discussed, and the need for detailed diagnostic studies is stressed. The sleep studies that should be a part of this comprehensive evaluation are described.
mesh_terms: D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010413:Penis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012890:Sleep