[Penile erectile function after lumbar discectomy for intervertebral disc herniation in different age groups of male patients].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the treatment effect on penile erectile function after lumbar discectomy in different age groups of men.


METHODS
We included in this study 90 male patients with intervertebral disc herniation treated by lumbar discectomy, who were divided into three age groups of equal number: groups A (< 45 yr), B (45 - 55 yr) and C ( > 55 yr). We obtained the IIEF-5 scores of the patients preoperatively and at 12 months after surgery.


RESULTS
The IIEF-5 scores at 12 months after surgery were 21.3 +/- 3.3, 16.8 +/- 1.3 and 14.1 +/- 1.0 in groups A, B and C, respectively, significantly higher than 10.4 +/- 2.6, 10.7 +/- 2.8 and 11.2 +/- 1.9 preoperatively (P < 0.05). Group A showed better improved erectile function than B and C ([51.17 +/- 6.25 ]% vs [36.31 +/- 4.28]% and [22.71 +/- 5.68]%, P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Penile erectile function of the male patient is one of the major factors in evaluating lumbar discectomy for intervertebral disc herniation. Early decompression surgery according to different etiological factors is very important for erectile function recovery in the young and middle-aged male patients.
Department of Orthopedics, Nanjing General Hospital of Nanjing Military Region, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210002, China. xuhaidong1980@163.com
Hai-Dong
HD
Xu
Jian-Ning
JN
Zhao
Bin
B
Xu
Gang
G
Liu
Hao-Wei
HW
He
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D017586:Diskectomy; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000601:surgery*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010410:Penile Erection; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires