Male sexual function after abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer

In a series of 26 male patients undergoing abdominoperineal resection of the rectum for malignant disease, a detailed history of sexual function was obtained, using a questionnaire before and 12 months after the operation. The overall incidence of sexual dysfunction was 61.5 per cent, total and partial erectile impotence being, respectively, both 27 per cent. Taking age into account, among men of the youngest age group (41-48 yrs), incidence of complete and partial erectile impotence was 14 per cent. In the middle age group (49-57 yrs), 22 per cent reported total and 33 per cent reported partial erectile impotence, whereas in patients of the oldest group (58-65 yrs), total erectile impotence was present in 40 per cent and partial in an additional 30 per cent. The extent of the disease (Dukes' stage) was found to be of no value as a prognostic index of postoperative sexual dysfunction. It is concluded that the age of the patients is the most important factor related to sexual activity after abdominoperineal resection for cancer.