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Prospective evaluation of sexual function after open and laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer

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Abstract

Background

Sexual function may be harmed after treatment for rectal cancer. This study aimed to evaluate prospectively the incidence of sexual dysfunction after rectal cancer treatment and to compare the effects of laparoscopic and traditional open approaches in terms of postoperative sexual function.

Methods

Baseline and 3-, 6-, and 12-month assessments of sexual dysfunction using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and its specific domains prospectively took place for 56 patients who underwent rectal cancer surgery (38 open vs. 18 laparoscopic procedures, 38 low anterior vs. 18 abdominoperineal resections). The preliminary results are presented.

Results

The average total IIEF and isolated IIEF response domain scores were significantly decreased after surgery (p < 0.01) except for the intercourse satisfaction and overall satisfaction scores at 12 months. An improvement in IIEF scores was observed between the 3- and 6-month assessment points (p < 0.01) except for the erectile function and orgasmic function scores. No significant differences were observed between the open and laparoscopic groups in the total IIEF and domain scores preoperatively and at the 3- and 6-month assessment points. The rates of sexual dysfunction did not differ significantly preoperatively or at 3 months postoperatively when open and laparoscopic procedures were compared, although there was a trend in favor of laparoscopic surgery at 6 months (p = 0.076). The baseline IIEF score and the baseline, 3-, and 6-month sexual desire scores were better (p = 0.035, 0.004, 0.017, and 0.061, respectively) in the low anterior resection group than in the abdominoperineal resection group.

Conclusions

Rectal cancer resections were postoperatively associated with a significant reduction in IIEF scores and high rates of sexual dysfunction at 3 and 6 months. The IIEF and domain scores at different assessment points were comparable between the laparoscopic and open surgery groups. Extending the monitoring period and adding more patients in this ongoing prospective study will further elucidate postoperative sexual dysfunction after rectal cancer surgery.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. First Department of Propaideutic Surgery of Athens Medical School, Hippocration University Hospital, 114 Vas. Sofias Ave, 11527, Athens, Greece

    Paraskevas Stamopoulos, Joanna Papailiou, Christina Golemati, Sotirios-George Panoussopoulos & Emmanouil Leandros

  2. First Department of Propaideutic Surgery of Athens Medical School, Hippocration University Hospital, 7 Semitelou Street, 11528, Athens, Greece

    George E. Theodoropoulos

  3. Department of Urology, Hippocration University Hospital, 114 Vas. Sofias Ave, 11527, Athens, Greece

    Dimitris Savidis

  4. First Department of Surgery of Athens Medical School, Laikon University Hospital, 17 St. Thomas Street, 11527, Athens, Greece

    Konstantinos Bramis

Authors
  1. Paraskevas Stamopoulos
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  2. George E. Theodoropoulos
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Correspondence to George E. Theodoropoulos.

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Stamopoulos, P., Theodoropoulos, G.E., Papailiou, J. et al. Prospective evaluation of sexual function after open and laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer. Surg Endosc 23, 2665–2674 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-009-0507-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-009-0507-2

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