Sexual dysfunction after elective endovascular or hand-assisted laparoscopic abdominal aneurysm repair.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the incidence of sexual dysfunction and retrograde ejaculation after elective endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) and hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS) for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).


METHODS
A total of 100 patients eligible for elective repair of infrarenal AAAs were randomised in two groups: EVAR and HALS. The quality of sexual function was evaluated using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), a 15-item questionnaire. Patients completed the IIEF preoperatively and at 12 months. The incidence of retrograde ejaculation was also evaluated.


RESULTS
One- and 12-month mortality rates were zero. Three patients in the EVAR group (6%) and two patients in the HALS group (4%) reported an erectile dysfunction (p = NS). The quality of sexual function at 1 year was similar in both groups: total score of 66 in the EVAR group versus 68 in the HALS group (p = 0.66). Retrograde ejaculation was detected in three cases in the HALS group versus no case in the EVAR group.


CONCLUSIONS
The HALS technique could be a minimally invasive alternative for sexually active males unsuitable for EVAR repair.
Veroux
P
P
Department of Surgery, Transplantation and Advanced Technologies, Vascular Surgery and Organ Transplant Unit, University Hospital of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, 86, 96123 Catania, Italy. pveroux@unict.it
D'Arrigo
G
G
Veroux
M
M
Giaquinta
A
A
Lomeo
A
A
D000368:Aged; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000601:surgery*; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D004542:Ejaculation; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome