ALTERATION OF MALE SEXUAL FUNCTION AFTER CENTROMEDULLARY NAILING FOR FEMUR FRACTURE

Purpose: We evaluated male sexual function after utilisation of the orthopaedic table for centromedullary nailing in patients with femoral shaft fractures treated between 1995 and 2001. The objective was to determine the frequency of altered function and search for favouring factors.Material and methods: Sexual function was assessed with a self-administered questionnaire using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). We contacted by mail 109 patients aged 20 – 50 years treated in the orthopaedic traumatology unit between 1995 and 2001. The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare quantitative variables and Student’s t test for classed variables.Results: Seven patients declined to respond and three died; 55 responded (81.8%). Patients were grouped by erectile function (EF) score (< 22 or 22) according to Cappelleri. Erectile dysfunction was identified in 19 patients. Altered sexual function did not appear to be related to age, weight or height. The duration of the operation was not different betwe...