title: Effects of the lower extremity external fixators on the sexual life of males.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In tibial fractures, the use of an external fixator (EF) may be associated with sexual dysfunction (SD) in sexually active male patients. We aimed to investigate the influence of EF applied for tibial fracture on the sexual life in male patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively evaluated 137 male patients who presented with tibial fractures and underwent surgical intervention with unilateral or circular EF. The patients completed the Brief Sexual Function Inventory (BSFI) form during the interview. We evaluated the incidence of the development of SD and the severity of SD with the use of an EF, and the relation with the type of EF and SD was investigated. The responses were compared with the results of the completed BSFI forms of 119 male patients who were treated with internal fixation (IF) for tibial fractures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 108 patients (mean age, 42.8 years) treated with EF accepted the invitation and filled the form. The score of those patients were worse compared with that of the patients who were treated with IF (p<0.001). Postoperative sexual functions were the same with the preoperative sexual function in 12 patients (11%). However, the postoperative scores were decreased in 96 (89%) patients, which meant that the sexual functioning was impaired. None of the patients reported persistent SD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EF in the cruris may impair sexual functions in males. The rate of SD was higher in male patients who were treated with EF. Thus, SD might be associated with physical, psychological, and social limitations caused by EF.
authors: Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors: Müjdat
authors: M
authors: Adaş
authors: Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors: Ali Çağrı
authors: AÇ
authors: Tekin
authors: Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors: Mehmet Kürşad
authors: MK
authors: Bayraktar
authors: Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors: Murat
authors: M
authors: Çakar
authors: Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors: Samet
authors: S
authors: Aslan
authors: Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors: Cem Zeki
authors: CZ
authors: Esenyel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016267:External Fixators / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D017102:Fracture Healing; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology