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Published in: International Journal of Colorectal Disease 12/2011

Open Access 01-12-2011 | Original Article

Sexual and urinary functioning after rectal surgery: a prospective comparative study with a median follow-up of 8.5 years

Authors: Annemiek Doeksen, Jan A. H. Gooszen, Peter van Duijvendijk, Pieter J. Tanis, Roel Bakx, J. Frederik M. Slors, J. Jan B. van Lanschot

Published in: International Journal of Colorectal Disease | Issue 12/2011

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to prospectively compare rectal resection (RR) with colonic resection on sexual, urinary and bowel function and quality of life in both short-term and long-term.

Methods

Eighty-three patients who underwent RR were compared to 53 patients who underwent a colonic resection leaving the rectum in situ (RIS). A questionnaire assessing sexual, urinary and bowel functioning with a quality of life questionnaire (SF-36) was sent to all participants preoperatively, 3 and 12 months postoperatively and approximately 8 years after the onset of the study.

Results

Short-term dysfunction included diminished sexual activity in female RR patients at 3 months and significantly more erectile dysfunction in RR patients 1 year postoperatively. Long-term dysfunction included more frequent and more severe erectile dysfunction in RR patients compared to RIS patients. These short-term and long-term outcomes did not influence overall quality of life. The incidence of urinary dysfunction was comparable between both groups. Bowel functioning was significantly better in the RIS group compared to the RR group 3 months and 1 year postoperatively.

Conclusions

Patients who underwent RR experienced up to 1 year postoperatively more sexual and bowel function problems than RIS patients. However, short-term and long-term dysfunction did not influence overall quality of life. Erectile dysfunction in male RR patients persisted in time, whereas other aspects of sexual, urinary and bowel function after RR and colonic resection are similar after a median follow-up of 8.5 years.
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Metadata
Title
Sexual and urinary functioning after rectal surgery: a prospective comparative study with a median follow-up of 8.5 years
Authors
Annemiek Doeksen
Jan A. H. Gooszen
Peter van Duijvendijk
Pieter J. Tanis
Roel Bakx
J. Frederik M. Slors
J. Jan B. van Lanschot
Publication date
01-12-2011
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
International Journal of Colorectal Disease / Issue 12/2011
Print ISSN: 0179-1958
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1262
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-011-1288-3

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