ASPECTS OF SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION AFTER RADICAL SURGERY OF RECTUM CANCER

Background: Rectal cancer became an important health problem in the past years in Romania. An improvement in oncological results after major surgery for this disease became reality. Unfortunately the quality of life after this radical oncological surgery was not studied. Method: In order to appreciate the quality of life of a group of Romanian ostomates after abdominoperineal resection we used four items from the City of Hope & Beckman QOL test (Duarte USA). 25 patients (11 males and 14 females) accepted to give answers to our questions. The items concerned their sexual activity before surgery, the decrease of this activity after surgery and stoma creation; satisfaction after sexual activity as ostomate. Males were asked to answer a forth question concerning erectile dysfunction. Results: Both males and females recognized an acceptable life before surgery. The decrease and the quality of sexual life after surgery were recognized by males, but especially by females. More than one third of males recognized erectile dysfunction after surgery. A connection between quality of sexual life and accuracy of surgical techniques used during operation is considered to be relevant. Further studies must be performed in order to achieve better progress.