ABSTRACT
Sexual dysfunction with the incidence of 5%-90% is a common postoperative complication of rectal cancer and the ratio of men and women is similar. Sexual function is innervated by the abdominal-pelvic autonomic nerve. Different sexual dysfunctions can be caused by different parts and degrees of injury in autonomic nerve during operations of rectal cancer. With the development of pelvic autonomic nerves preservation in rectal cancer radical resection, postoperative sexual function can be protected. There may be many factors increasing the incidence of postoperative sexual dysfunction in rectal cancer, such as postoperative psychological factors, stoma, abdominal-perineal resection and radiotherapy. The effects of laparoscopic surgery, robotic surgery, transanal total mesorectal excision and lateral lymph node dissection on postoperative sexual function remain controversial. Based on the multidisciplinary cooperation model, attention should be paid to psychological intervention of patients and their partners. In clinical practice, for male using phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, vacuum erectile devices, injection of vasodilators through the penis or urethra, and for female local application of estrogen and lubricants in the vagina are effective treatment for postoperative sexual dysfunction of rectal cancer. In addition, stem cell therapy has a promising prospect for sexual dysfunction.