Recovery of sexual function after scrotal hernia repair

• Published in: The American journal of surgery Vol. 194; no. 3; pp. 299 - 303
• Main Authors: Ertan, Tamer, M.D, Keskek, Mehmet, M.D, Kilic, Mehmet, M.D, Dizen, Hayrettin, M.D, Koc, Mahmut, M.D, Tez, Mesut, M.D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.09.2007; Elsevier; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Aging; Biological and medical sciences; Follow-Up Studies; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; General aspects; Genital Diseases, Male - surgery; Hernias; Herniorrhaphy; Hospitals; Humans; International Index of Erectile Function score; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Patients; Penile Erection; Prospective Studies; Quality of life; Recovery of Function; Scrotal hernia; Scrotum; Sexual disorders; Sexual function; Surgery; Surveys and Questionnaires; International Index of Erectile Function score; Scrotal hernia; Sexual function; Hernia; Medicine; Scrotum; Score; Treatment; Surgery; Repair; Recovery; International Index of Erectile Function
• ISSN: 0002-9610; 1879-1883
• DOI: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2006.12.040

Abstract Background Most of the patients with scrotal hernia have sexual dysfunction to some extent. Therefore, we investigated the recovery of sexual function after scrotal hernia repair by using an internationally approved, patient-administered questionnaire. Methods In a prospective follow-up study, 34 patients with scrotal hernia were investigated to assess sexual function before and 3 months after hernia repair by using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire. The mean scores obtained on pre- and postoperative visits for all domains of sexual function were analyzed and compared with the Wilcoxon test. Hernia repair was performed by using a standardized Lichtenstein technique. Results The total mean score of the IIEF-15 was 52.08 before surgery and 56.20 after the procedure, with this difference considered statistically significant ( P < .001). Eighty-five percent of the patients improved their scores versus 9% and 6% who showed worsening or no change at all in IIEF scores after surgery, respectively. All of the 5 sexual function domains except the orgasm domain presented statistically significant improvement. Conclusions This study showed that scrotal hernia repair caused a positive impact on sexual function after surgery. There was no case of surgery-related erectile dysfunction. Therefore, one of the major indications to repair large scrotal hernias may be to improve the quality of sexual life.