Background: We performed a study to assess sexual and urinary function after total mesorectal excision with autonomic nerve preservation for primary carcinoma of the rectum.
Study design: We studied retrospectively postoperative sexual and urinary function in 136 (78 percent) of 175 eligible patients (82 males and 54 females) who responded to a standardized questionnaire.
Results: The ability to engage in intercourse was maintained by 86 percent of the patients younger than 60 years of age, and by 67 percent of patients 60 years and older. Eighty-seven percent of male patients maintained their ability to achieve orgasm. The type of surgery (abdominoperineal resection compared to low anterior resection), and age equal to or greater than 60 years were significantly associated with male sexual dysfunction. Of the female patients, 85 percent were able to experience arousal with vaginal lubrication and 91 percent could achieve orgasm. The majority of patients had few or no complaints related to urinary function. Serious urinary dysfunction such as neurogenic bladder was not encountered.
Conclusions: Autonomic nerve preservation in association with total mesorectal excision reduces the operative morbidity rate and is successful in minimizing sexual and urinary dysfunction in the operative treatment of patients with carcinoma of the rectum.