title: Recovery of sexual function after scrotal hernia repair.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Most of the patients with scrotal hernia have sexual dysfunction to some extent. Therefore, we investigated the recovery of sexual function after scrotal hernia repair by using an internationally approved, patient-administered questionnaire.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective follow-up study, 34 patients with scrotal hernia were investigated to assess sexual function before and 3 months after hernia repair by using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire. The mean scores obtained on pre- and postoperative visits for all domains of sexual function were analyzed and compared with the Wilcoxon test. Hernia repair was performed by using a standardized Lichtenstein technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total mean score of the IIEF-15 was 52.08 before surgery and 56.20 after the procedure, with this difference considered statistically significant (P < .001). Eighty-five percent of the patients improved their scores versus 9% and 6% who showed worsening or no change at all in IIEF scores after surgery, respectively. All of the 5 sexual function domains except the orgasm domain presented statistically significant improvement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study showed that scrotal hernia repair caused a positive impact on sexual function after surgery. There was no case of surgery-related erectile dysfunction. Therefore, one of the major indications to repair large scrotal hernias may be to improve the quality of sexual life.
authors: Fifth Department of Surgery, Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, 5 Cadde, No:10/3, Bahçelievler, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Tamer
authors: T
authors: Ertan
authors: Mehmet
authors: M
authors: Keskek
authors: Mehmet
authors: M
authors: Kilic
authors: Hayrettin
authors: H
authors: Dizen
authors: Mahmut
authors: M
authors: Koc
authors: Mesut
authors: M
authors: Tez
mesh_terms: D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005832:Genital Diseases, Male / Q000601:surgery*; D059685:Herniorrhaphy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010410:Penile Erection; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012611:Scrotum; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires