Sexual dysfunction following operation for carcinoma of the rectum.

In a retrospective study, sexual and urologic dysfunction were evaluated after a personal interview with 110 patients operated upon for carcinoma of the rectum with a long observation period. Following abdominoperineal resection in 93 patients, sexual dysfunction was found in 32 per cent, and 18 per cent were totally impotent. In 17 patients who had low anterior resections, none became totally impotent, but six 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 two years. One-third of the patients had experienced urologic symptoms following abdominoperineal resection. Sixteen per cent had minor symptoms at follow-up. Patients were not evaluated by cystometry. No correlation was found between postoperative sexual dysfunction and urologic problems.