Investigation of postoperative erectile dysfunction in colorectal surgery patients and comparison of results

Although surgical treatment is curative for colorectal cancers, erectile dysfunction (ED) is one of the complications that affect the patient quality of life. The present study aimed to evaluate sexual dysfunction in patients who underwent anterior resection (AR) and low AR (LAR) surgery secondary to rectosigmoid pathologies in our clinic, to analyze the effective variables, and to compare the results.

In the retrospectively designed study, male patients who underwent surgery for malignancy or other surgical pathologies in the General Surgery Clinic between January 2017 and December 2022 were examined. Female gender, patients under 18 years of age, and patients who refused to participate in the study were excluded.

The high age of the patient increased the risk of severe ED in the postoperative period. However, surgical technique, alcohol use, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, and Clavien-Dindo class were not determinants in the presence of severe ED.

ED is an emerging medical problem that affects patients who undergo colorectal surgery adversely both in social and psychological aspects. Discussions on the issue are still ongoing. Clinicians' concerns can be addressed in the future as the number of prospectively designed studies involving more homogeneous and larger populations increases.