[Preservation of masculine sexual functions after treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysms]

Preserving sexual function is an important objective in the treatment of aneurysms of the abdominal aorta in men.Two groups of patients with normal sexual function were operated for aneurysms of the abdominal aorta. In group 1 (n = 22) a small opening in the infra-renal aorta was made for insertion of an aorto-bi-iliac prosthesis; in 4 of them, the aneurysm was not opened but simply excluded. In group 2 (n = 22), the aorta was opened longitudinally for insertion of an aorto-aortic tube.Sexual function was totally abolished after operation in 9% of the patients in group 1 and in 36% of those in group 2. Sexual functions were totally preserved in 50% of the patients in group 1 and in 36% of those in group 2, but the differences were not statistically significant.1) It is not always possible to guarantee maintained sexual function after operation for aneurysms of the abdominal aorta and the patients should be advised thereto; 2) aortobi-iliac prostheses with limited opening of the aorta in the upper part of the aneurysm or exclusion of the aneurysm led to a higher rate of preservation than aorto-aortic tubes with total opening of the aneurysm and should be preferred in men with normal sexual function.