title: Pelvic dysfunctions and quality of life after nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy: a multicenter comparative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze pelvic dysfunctions, quality of life, and survival after nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy (NSRH) compared to classical radical hysterectomy (RH) for cervical cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  All cervical cancer patients undergoing a RH or a NSRH were evaluated for pelvic dysfunctions and filled in a quality-of-life questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 56 women were included; 31 underwent RH (group 1) and 25 NSRH (group 2). Postoperatively, a higher number of patients had urinary incontinence (p=0.02), urinary retention (p=0.01), faecal incontinence (p=0.01) and constipation (p=0.01) in group 1 versus group 2. Patients referred a higher rate of severe sexual dysfunction after RH compared to NSRH (p=0.03). No differences were found in orgasmic frequency and sexual desire; overall quality of life evaluation was more satisfactory after NSRH.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NSRH conferred a better clinical outcome with fewer long-term bladder, colorectal and sexual complications. Post-operative quality of life after NSRH was better, with the same overall survival as compared to RH.
authors.affiliation: Gynecologic Oncology Division, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, International School of Surgical Anatomy, European Gynaecology Endoscopy School, Sacred Heart Hospital, Via Don A. Sempreboni No.5, 37024 Negrar, Verona, Italy. issaschool@gmail.com
authors.forename: Marcello
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ceccaroni
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Roviglione
authors.forename: Emanuela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Spagnolo
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Casadio
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Clarizia
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Peiretti
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bruni
authors.forename: Inge
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Aletti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003248:Constipation / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D016014:Linear Models; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011788:Quality of Life; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*