ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term sexual function and risk factors of dysfunction after the autonomic nerve preserving operation for lower rectal cancer. METHODS: We evaluated postoperative sexual function assessed by IIEF5 in 91 patients who responded to the questionnaire by mail. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 5.5 years, univariate analysis identified 4 risk factors associated with poor sexual function: the elder, over 3 years after surgery, pathological stage III , and lateral lymph node dissection(both side). Poor sexual function assessed by multivariate analysis was significantly associated with the elder(over 60 years). CONCLUSION: From the viewpoint of sexual dysfunction, the autonomic nerve preserving operation( AN4)should be considered for elderly people.
