Hazardous Effects of Electrocautery on Penile Arteries: An Experimental Study

Objective: Urethral arteries may be affected during electrocauterization The present study aims to investigate whether urethral artery spasm induced by electrocauterization during penile surgery causes pudendal nerve injury. Method: Eighteen male New Zealand rabbits were allocated into control (G-I, n=5), penile surgery without electrocauterization (SHAM group, G-II, n=6) and monopolar cauterization under general anesthesia (study group, G- III, n=9) groups. The animals were followed up for three weeks and then sacrificed. Vasospasm index values (VSI: wall ring surface value/lumen surface value) of urethral arteries and degenerated neuron densities ( DNDs) of pudendal nerve dorsal root ganglia at sacral-3 level (S3) were examined using stereological methods. Results were compared using the one-way ANOVA test. Results: Neuronal angulation, cytoplasmic condensation, nuclear shrinkage, and condensed nuclei were detected in the pudendal nerve ganglia. The mean VSI values of urethral arteries and DNDs of pudendal ganglia (n/mm(3)) were estimated as 1.012 +/- 0.024 vs. 4 +/- 1 in GI; 1.082 +/- 0.323 vs. 28 +/- 7 in GII and 2.54 +/- 0.0621 vs. 137 +/- 14 in GIII, respectively. Statistical significance values (p-values) in terms of VSI, and DND for the differences between GI and GII (p<0.01 vs. p<0.005), GII and GIII (p<0.001 vs. p<0.0001)- and GI and GIII (p<0.0001 vs. p<0.0001) were as indicated. Conclusion: Electrocautery during penile surgery should not be used because of retrograde degeneration of the pudendal nerve and ganglia secondary to the injury to urethral taste bud-like structures.