OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of a French-language version of the International Prostate Symptom Scale (I-PSS) by measuring, on this scale and on the quality of life index, the scores of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia before and after prostate surgery. METHOD: The questionnaire was completed by 14 men, mostly between 60 and 80 years old, 24 hours before surgery and 1 month and 3 months after surgery. RESULTS: The French-language scale worked well. Scores changed from 19.1 before surgery to 7.5 3 months after surgery for prostate symptoms and from 8.5 to 4.5 for quality of life. CONCLUSION: This version of the questionnaire is a valid tool for evaluating prostate symptoms reported by French-speaking people.