Sexual complications after abdominoperineal resection

The sexual activity was studied in 28 males and 18 females, one year after abdominoperineal resection for low rectal carcinoma, using a questionnaire. Sexual desire, potentia coeundi and ejaculandi, capacity for orgasm and sexual satisfaction in the male, and sexual desire, possibility of vaginal coitus, dyspareunia, orgasm capacity and sexual satisfaction in the female were analyzed. Among the female patients (18 cases), sexual desire was judged to be decreased in 77.77% (15 cases) and decreased capacity for orgasm occured in 5.5% (1 case). Loss of sexual satisfaction and dyspareunia were present in 44.4% (8 cases) and 33.6% (6 cases) respectively. Among the male patients (28 cases), sexual desire decreased in 75% (21 cases), incomplete erection but sufficient for copulation occurred in 17.85% (5 cases), such as retrograde ejaculation in 10.71% (3 cases) and no ejaculation in 7.14% (2 cases) and impotentia coeundi in 25% (7 cases). In couples that reported a satisfying sexual activity, the first coitus occurred 6 months after surgery (range: 4 to 15 months). In no case was there separation of the couple after surgery.