Erectile Dysfunction after Traumatic Pelvic Injury

Overview

Erectile dysfunction is a serious consequence of pelvic injuries. The aim of the study was to review and assess erectile dysfunction rates in mono and polytraumatized males with the pelvic injury, and to highlight the impotence-type of the pelvic injury relation and to evaluate the therapeutic response of the patients.

Methods:
In total, 231 mono- or polytraumatized males with the pelvic injury were mailed a private letter including the HEF-5 International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire. The AO classification was used to assess the relation of the pelvic injury type and the onset of the erectile dysfunctin. The c2 test was used to assess the statistical significance. The peroral treatment with the phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors was the therapeutical method of first choice. The therapeutical effect was assessed using the IIEF 5 questionnaire.

Results:
We concluded that the erectile dysfunction affects nearly a third (31.5%) of the males who suffered pelvic injuries. The fact, whether the patient suffered an isolated pelvic injury or a pelvic injury in a polytrauma, has no influence on the erectile dysfuntion onset (p = 0.218), however, the onset of impotence has a significant connection to the type of the pelvic injury. We confirmed a statistically significant increase in the erectile dysfuncion rates in patients with the pelvic ring injury type B and C (p = 0.023). The mean IIEF-5 score prior to the treatment initiation was 11.5. In 85% of the patients the peroral treatment of the erectile dysfunctin using the PDES inhibitors was successful and resulted in achievement of the pair sexual satisfaction. The score of the IIEF-5 questionnaire reached physiological values 23 (22–25) following the treatment.

Based on the findings, the authors recommend, during their hospitalization, to inform the males who suffered the type B and C pelvic ring injury about a possibility of their sexual dysfunction, and to advise them to contact a sexual disorders specialist.

Key words:
erectile dysfuction – pelvic injury – monotrauma – polytrauma