Predictor Factors in the Development of Erectile Dysfunction After Inguinal Hernia Repair

Introduction: This study aimed to determine the factors predicting erectile dysfunction (ED) in patients who underwent inguinal hernia repair (ICR) in our hospital.

Methods: Patients who underwent ICR were reviewed retrospectively. The number of patients included in the study was 208. The patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 (non-ED) and Group 2 (developing ED). EF and testicular volume were evaluated with scrotal ultrasound and duplex sonography before and 3 months after surgery. Sexual function was assessed using a validated anonymized questionnaire International Index of Erectile Function. The results were reviewed using IBM SPSS v23.0. Postoperative complications were evaluated according to the Clavien Scale.

Results: The number of patients was 148 (71.1%) in Group 1 and 60 (28.9%) in Group 2. Of the patients, 17.2% (60/ 348) developed ED. According to the results of the multivariate analysis, age >40 years (OR: 14.64; 95% CI: 2.54–84.31; p=0.003), not having received perioperative narcotics (OR: 96.44; 95% CI: 16.82–553.05; p<0.001), having received perioperative antispasmodics (OR: 30.28; 95% CI: 5.38–170.45; p<0.001), presence of preoperative benign prostatic obstruction (BPO) (OR: 8.42; 95% CI: 1.21–58.81; p=0.032), and small preoperative testicle size (OR: 1.77; 95% CI: 1.25–2.50; p<0.001) increase the risk of postoperative ED.

Discussion and Conclusion: Advanced age, history of rheumatic disease and BPO, not using perioperative nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and narcotic drugs, using antispasmodic drugs, and having small preoperative testicular size increase the risk of ED.

Keywords: Testicular atrophy; Erectile dysfunction; Inguinal hernia