[Male sexual function after D(3) lymphadenectomy combined with pelvic autonomic nerve preservation by laparoscopic and open surgery for rectal cancer].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate male sexual function in a series of rectal cancer patients randomized to laparoscopic(LS) or open surgery(OS).


METHODS
Between June 2006 and October 2007, a total of 119 patients with rectal cancer were randomly assigned to laparoscopic(n=60) or open (n=59) resection group. All the patients were treated by D(3) lymphadenectomy combined with pelvic autonomic nerve preservation(PANP) technique. Sexual function was assessed by International Index of Erectile Function(IIEF) before surgery and on 3, 6 and 12 months after operation.


RESULTS
Sexual dysfunction rate of LS and OS at 3rd month after operation were 23.3% and 32.3% respectively, and 18.3% vs 27.1% after 6 months, and 11.6% vs 16.9% after 12 months. There were no significant difference between LS and OS in sexual dysfunction rate after surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic D(3) lymphadenectomy combined with PANP is not associated with higher sexual dysfunction rate, and the sexual function after laparoscopic surgery is satisfactory.
Department of General Surgery, Southwest Hospital, The Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China.
Li-Ye
LY
Liu
Chao
C
Zhang
Pei-Wu
PW
Yu
Yan
Y
Li
Tao
T
Liu
Jian-Hua
JH
Xu
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017776:Autonomic Pathways / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010388:Pelvis / Q000294:innervation; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000209:etiology*