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Sexual function in men and women after anterior surgery for chronic low back pain

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Abstract

Sexual dysfunction after anterior lumbar fusion has mainly been focused on male biological function (retrograde ejaculation). The aim of the present study is to assess the effect of fusion surgery for chronic low back pain on the sex-related quality of life. Apart from routine prospective questionnaires, additional gender-specific mailed questionnaires produced retrospective data on sexual enjoyment and function after 2 years of follow-up. Patients randomised to non-surgical treatment and anterior or posterior fusion were compared. We found that surgically treated patients had a significantly better sex life than those non-surgically treated. The improved sex life was significantly associated with the reduced back pain. The improvement after anterior fusion, however, was counteracted by a trend towards disturbed orgasm and genital sensation in women, and a significant disturbance of ejaculation and genital sensation in men. In view of the increased frequency of anterior lumbar surgery with the strong promotion of disc replacement, the findings in the present small retrospective pilot study should be tested in larger prospective trials.

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Acknowledgement

The Swedish Spine Study Group: G. Appelgren, MD; S. Berg, MD; B. Branth, MD; C.G. Cederlund, MD; P. Elkan, MD; P. Fritzell, MD, PhD; R. Hedlund, MD, PhD; O. Hägg, MD, PhD; H. Kogler, MD; C. Leufvén, MD; G. Nemeth, MD, PhD; P. Neumann, MD, PhD; M. Nilsson, MD, PhD; K. Nordenström, MD, PhD; A. Nordweall, MD, PhD; A. Ohlin, MD, PhD; G. Oderberg, MD, PhD; T. Reigo, MD, PhD; T. Sahlstarnd, MD, PhD; R. Sandberg, MD, PhD; L. Skogland, MD, PhD; B. Strömqvist, MD, PhD; H. Tropp, MD, PhD; T. Tullberg, MD, PhD; T. Wikström, MD; J. Willén, MD, PhD.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 413 45, Göteborg, SE, Sweden

    Olle Hägg, Peter Fritzell & Anders Nordwall

  2. Department of Orthopaedics, Falu Lasarett, Falun, Sweden

    Olle Hägg, Peter Fritzell & Anders Nordwall

Authors
  1. Olle Hägg
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  2. Peter Fritzell
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  3. Anders Nordwall
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Consortia

The Swedish Lumbar Spine Study Group

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Olle Hägg.

Appendix: Questionnaires mailed to surgically treated patients immediately after the 2–year follow-up

Appendix: Questionnaires mailed to surgically treated patients immediately after the 2–year follow-up

Questionnaire for women

  1. Question

    1. Have you, after surgery, experienced decreased ability to have orgasm?

  2. Question

    2. Have you, after surgery, experienced increased ability to have orgasm?

  3. Question

    3. Have you, after surgery, experienced disturbed sensation in the genital area?

  4. Question

    4. Have you, after surgery, experienced any other disturbance in the genital area?

  5. Question

    5. Have you, before surgery, tried but not succeeded in having children?

  6. Question

    6. Have you, after surgery, tried but not succeeded in having children?

Questionnaire for men

  1. Question

    1. Have you, after surgery, experienced decreased erectile function?

  2. Question

    2. Have you, after surgery, experienced increased erectile function?

  3. Question

    3. Have you, after surgery, experienced decreased ability to have ejaculation?

  4. Question

    4. Have you, after surgery, experienced increased ability to have ejaculation?

  5. Question

    5. Have you, after surgery, experienced orgasm without ejaculation?

  6. Question

    6. Have you, after surgery, experienced disturbed sensation in the genital area?

  7. Question

    7. Have you, before surgery, tried, but not succeeded in having children?

  8. Question

    8. Have you, after surgery, tried, but not succeeded in having children?

Answers to all questions were YES or NO.

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Hägg, O., Fritzell, P., Nordwall, A. et al. Sexual function in men and women after anterior surgery for chronic low back pain. Eur Spine J 15, 677–682 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-005-1017-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-005-1017-0

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