title: [The impact of conventional proctocolectomy on sexual function].
abstract: Seventy-one women who had a proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis (n. 41) or Crohn's disease (n. 30) were interviewed in the follow-up clinic for gynaecological problems and fertility. Forty-nine per cent (35/71) of the women had a distressing vaginal discharge after proctocolectomy, compared with 9% before surgery. At the gynaecological examination 45% (32/71) had a heavy vaginal secretion without any signs of an acute vaginal infection. In 68% (30/44) fluid retention in the vagina was associated with a caudally firmly-fixed and dilated posterior vaginal fornix. Twelve per cent (8/66) of the women reported dyspareunia before surgery. After surgery, 27% (18/66) complained of this symptom. Fertility was significantly reduced after surgery since only 37% (10/27) of the women who attempted to become pregnant succeeded within five years follow-up. The corresponding figure before surgery was 72% (39/54). Those who conceived went through pregnancy and parturition without any incident, 6 of 24 delivered by cesarean section. Fifty-seven men who had a proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis (n.41) or Crohn's disease (n. 30) were interviewed in the follow-up clinic for the presence of sexual disturbances and their incidence was studied. Fifty-seven per cent of elderly patients (above 40 years old) complained of reduced libido and sexual satisfaction. In younger patients (below 40 years old) 33% complained of an impaired quality of sexual life and 22% complained of an impaired sexual satisfaction. However, despite some sexual dysfunction, 56% reported improved sexual life and 67% improved sexual satisfaction. This may be explained by improved general health and increased libido after removal of diseased bowel.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Divisione di Chirurgia Generale, Ospedale Maria Vittoria, Torino.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scaglia
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bronsino
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Canino
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hulten
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007081:Ileostomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D016737:Proctocolectomy, Restorative / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*
vernacular_title: Impatto della proctocolectomia convenzionale sulla funzione sessuale.