Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate vascular surgeons' knowledge and appreciation of ejaculatory dysfunction after open aortic aneurysm repair and the knowledge of possible nerve-preserving techniques.
Methods: A Dutch national survey was conducted on sexual counseling in the case of open aortic surgery. For this purpose, a designed questionnaire based on a review of the literature in the field and on other surveys aiming to analyze care for sexual health by medical specialists was used.
Results: The response rate was almost 60%. All responders were familiar with the occurrence of postoperative neurogenic complications. Sixty percent preoperatively informs their patients, but only one-third inquires whether such complications have occurred postoperatively. Most respondents estimated the incidence of postoperative neurogenic complications due to dissection of the periaortic tissues between 5% and 25%. Almost 75% take nerve anatomy into consideration when exposing the abdominal aorta, but only 29% mention the correct structures, and only 37% mention possible correct nerve-sparing techniques.
Conclusions: Dutch vascular surgeons are well aware of the occurrence of postoperative sexual disorders after infrarenal aortic reconstruction. A gap in knowledge of pathophysiology and anatomy exists. Furthermore, a significant part of vascular surgeons seems to lack skills in sexual counseling. Therefore, more education should be offered during vascular surgical training.
What this article adds: This article addresses iatrogenic neurogenic complications affecting sexual health following open aortic surgery. It opens the discussion on possible gaps in modern training of vascular surgeons and on sexual health in relation to postoperative quality of life and shared decision-making.
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