Sexual function after male radical cystectomy in a sexually active population

Abstract

Objectives: To assess sexual dysfunction in sexually active men after radical cystectomy (RC) and to determine whether sildenafil citrate can improve erectile dysfunction after surgery.

Methods: The baseline and follow-up data from 49 sexually active male patients (mean age 57.8 +/- 9.1 years) undergoing RC (1995 to 2002) were obtained. Of the 49 patients, 16 (33%) had undergone nerve-sparing RC; 38 (78%) had undergone orthotopic diversion; 8 (16%) had undergone ileal conduit diversion; and 3 (6%) had undergone cutaneous continent diversion. The data were assessed using the abridged 5-item International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire, referred to as the Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM).

Results: At a mean follow-up of 47.6 +/- 22.7 months, the total mean SHIM score decreased from 22.08 +/- 3.96 to 4.33 +/- 5.72 after RC (P <0.05). Of the 49 patients, 42 (86%) did not have erections sufficient for vaginal penetration. Of these 42 patients, 22 (52%) tried sildenafil citrate. Of these 22 patients, only 2 (9%) responded positively, with a total mean SHIM score of 23.50 +/- 2.12. Although the mean SHIM score after orthotopic substitution (5.24 +/- 6.21) was statistically significant compared with that after ileal conduit (1.13 +/- 0.33) and cutaneous continent (1.33 +/- 0.58) diversions, this was not clinically significant.

Conclusions: Male erectile dysfunction after RC is a prevalent problem. In our series, only 9 (14%) of 49 sexually active men were potent after surgery. Of these 9 potent patients, 8 (89%) had undergone nerve-sparing RC. Of concern, only 52% of the patients with erectile dysfunction sought treatment after RC.