Sexual dysfunction following cystectomy: A survey using questionnaires

A survey through the use of questionnaires was carried out to assess sexual dysfunction in 330 patients who were followed up for more than 3 months after cystectomy at the Okayama University Hospital and its affiliated hospitals. Among these patients, 30% of the men and 10% of the women continued to feel sexual desire after the cystectomy. Only 1.7% of the male patients, however, could achieve an erection. Preoperatively, 77% of the men and 35% of the women were capable of sexual intercourse. Postoperatively, about 90% of both men and women were completely incapable of sexual intercourse. It was not possible to clarify whether or not orthotopic bladder substitution significantly improved the postoperative sexual condition. Although few male patients have high expectations for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, about 45% of the male patients showed an interest in sildenafil citrate. Nerve-sparing cystectomy combined with sildenafil citrate will become the treatment of choice to prevent erectile dysfunction in specific patients.