Sexual dysfunction following operation for carcinoma of the rectum

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Abstract
In a retrospective study, sexual and urologic dysfunction were evaluated after a personal interview with 110 patients operated on for carcinoma of the rectum with a long observation period. Following abdominoperineal resection in 93 patients, sexual dysfunction was found in 32%; 18% were totally impotent. In 17 patients who had low anterior resections, 0 became totally impotent, but 6 patients had reduced potency or no ejaculation. No relation was found between age, tumor classification, size and localization, or perineal wound infection and postoperative sexual dysfunction. Potency was usually regained within 2 yr. One-third of the patients had experienced urologic symptoms following abdominoperineal resection. Sixteen percent had minor symptoms at follow-up. Patients were not evaluated by cystometry. No correlation was found between postoperative sexual dysfunction and urologic problems.