title: The impact of prostate biopsy and periprostatic nerve block on erectile and voiding function: a prospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We evaluated the effect of multiple core prostate biopsy and periprostatic nerve block on voiding and erectile function.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 198 patients in whom prostate cancer was suspected were randomly assigned to undergo 10-core prostate biopsy with (71) or without (74) periprostatic nerve block. The 53 men with a history of negative prostate biopsy underwent 20-core saturation prostate biopsy with periprostatic nerve block. The International Prostate Symptom Score and International Index of Erectile Function were completed before, and 1, 4 and 12 weeks after biopsy to measure changes in voiding and erectile function, and quality of life. Upon prostate cancer diagnosis patients were excluded from further analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The International Prostate Symptom Score was significantly increased in all patients at week 1, which persisted at weeks 4 and 12 after saturation biopsy (p = 0.007 and 0.035, respectively). After 10-core prostate biopsy with periprostatic nerve block patients had a higher International Prostate Symptom Score at weeks 4 and 12 but this was not statistically significant (p >0.05). Quality of life was significantly affected at all times after saturation prostate biopsy (p = 0.001, 0.003 and 0.010, respectively). International Index of Erectile Function scores decreased significantly in all groups at week 1 (p <0.05). The decrease persisted at week 4 in each 10-core prostate biopsy group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prostate biopsy causes impaired voiding. Saturation prostate biopsy and periprostatic nerve block seem to have a lasting impact on voiding function. Erectile function is transiently affected by prostate biopsy regardless of periprostatic nerve block and the number of cores. Patients who undergo prostate biopsy must be informed about these side effects.
authors: Department of Urology, Ruhr-University-Bochum, Marienhospital Herne, Herne, Germany. Toby.Klein@t-online.de
authors: Tobias
authors: T
authors: Klein
authors: Rein Jueri
authors: RJ
authors: Palisaar
authors: Alexander
authors: A
authors: Holz
authors: Marko
authors: M
authors: Brock
authors: Joachim
authors: J
authors: Noldus
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Hinkel
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011467:Prostate / Q000473:pathology*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000209:etiology*