BACKGROUND: The objective was to investigate whether two-dimensional intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) of pelvic autonomic nerves has the potential to predict erectile function (EF) following surgery for rectal cancer. METHODS: A consecutive series of 17 sexually active male rectal cancer patients undergoing IONM-based nerve-sparing low anterior rectal resection were evaluated prospectively. IONM was performed by electric stimulation of the pelvic splanchnic nerves with concomitant electromyography of the internal anal sphincter and cystomanometry. Sexual function was assessed using a validated questionnaire. RESULTS: The degree of agreement between electromyography-based and cystomanometry-based IONM with postoperative EF was moderate and good (κ = 0.43 and κ = 0.66). Combined assessment yielded the best agreement (κ = 0.76) with sensitivity of 90%, specificity of 86%, positive predictive value of 90%, negative predictive value of 86%, and overall accuracy of 88%, respectively, in terms of prediction of postoperative EF. CONCLUSION: The method may be suitable to predict male EF following rectal resection. 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel.
BACKGROUND: The objective was to investigate whether two-dimensional intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) of pelvic autonomic nerves has the potential to predict erectile function (EF) following surgery for rectal cancer. METHODS: A consecutive series of 17 sexually active male rectal cancerpatients undergoing IONM-based nerve-sparing low anterior rectal resection were evaluated prospectively. IONM was performed by electric stimulation of the pelvic splanchnic nerves with concomitant electromyography of the internal anal sphincter and cystomanometry. Sexual function was assessed using a validated questionnaire. RESULTS: The degree of agreement between electromyography-based and cystomanometry-based IONM with postoperative EF was moderate and good (κ = 0.43 and κ = 0.66). Combined assessment yielded the best agreement (κ = 0.76) with sensitivity of 90%, specificity of 86%, positive predictive value of 90%, negative predictive value of 86%, and overall accuracy of 88%, respectively, in terms of prediction of postoperative EF. CONCLUSION: The method may be suitable to predict male EF following rectal resection. 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel.
Authors: Damiano Pizzol; Tao Xiao; Lee Smith; Guillermo F López Sánchez; Andrea Garolla; Christopher Parris; Yvonne Barnett; Petre Cristian Ilie; Pinar Soysal; Jae Il Shin; Mark A Tully; Lin Yang; Nicola Veronese; Igor Grabovac Journal: Br J Gen Pract Date: 2021-04-29 Impact factor: 5.386