Sexual function and body image are similar after laparoscopy-assisted and open ileal pouch-anal anastomosis.

backgroundIleal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is performed in patients with ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis where the majority of patients are sexually active. Laparoscopic surgery is becoming the preferred technique for most colorectal interventions, and we examined postoperative sexual function and body image compared to those after open surgery IPAA.

methodsPatients treated with IPAA in the period from October 2008 to March 2012 were included. Evaluation of sexual function, body image, and quality of life was performed using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), the Body Image Questionnaire (BIQ), and the Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (SIBDQ).

resultsWe included 72 patients (38 laparoscopy-assisted and 34 open). Response rate was 74 %. There were no differences in demographics, functional outcome, quality of life (SIBDQ score: 53 vs. 53), or time of follow-up (637 vs. 803 days). All women and men showed scores above the cutoff line of normal sexual function. There was no significant difference in sexual function between the laparoscopic and open groups. We found no differences in BIQ between open and laparoscopic IPAA; however, there was a tendency toward lower postoperative self-esteem among women compared to men (p = 0.07). We also found a tendency toward a better body image among laparoscopy-treated women compared to open-treated women (p = 0.07).

conclusionsAlthough there might be a tendency toward better body image among laparoscopy-treated women, the two surgical techniques seem equal with respect to postoperative sexual function.