Sexual and reproductive health after surgical procedures - the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration - PubMed
6 hours ago
- #multidisciplinary collaboration
- #surgical care
- #reproductive health
- Sexual and reproductive health is often overlooked in surgical care but significantly impacts quality of life and outcomes.
- Key mechanisms affecting sexual and reproductive health post-surgery include autonomic denervation, vascular/hormonal factors, pain/scarring, and altered body image.
- Pelvic oncologic surgeries like low anterior resection and radical prostatectomy/cystectomy are high-risk for sexual and reproductive complications.
- Effective interventions include early penile rehabilitation (PDE5 inhibitors ± vacuum device), fertility preservation (gamete cryopreservation), and local estrogens/lubricants for women.
- Psychosexual support and pelvic-floor physiotherapy are crucial for both sexes within multidisciplinary care.
- A six-step perioperative algorithm (education, risk stratification, fertility preservation, nerve-sparing, discharge instructions, follow-up) is feasible and improves outcomes in Czech practice.