Observational studyTopics in spinal cord injury rehabilitation2020
Patient-Reported Bladder, Bowel, and Sexual Function After Cauda Equina Syndrome Secondary to a Herniated Lumbar Intervertebral Disc.
Observational study in Topics in spinal cord injury rehabilitation, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
8 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 13 citations in OpenAlex.
- The implications of surgery on sexual dysfunction in patients with lumbar disc herniation with cauda equina syndrome: a systematic review.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2025Pooled it
- Outcomes of cauda equina syndrome due to lumbar disc herniation after surgical management and the factors affecting it: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 22 studies with 852 cases.European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society · 2022Pooled it
- Sexual dysfunction after cauda equina syndrome: a systematic review of long-term outcomes.European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society · 2026Review
- Qualitative Assessment of Sexual Health Impairment in Women Affected by Disk Herniation.International journal of women's health · 2026Article
- Clinical efficacy and impact on sexual function of percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy in the treatment of male lumbar disc herniation complicated with cauda equina syndrome.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2025Article
- Conus medullaris tumor co-existed with chronic low back pain: a case report and literature review.Journal of spine surgery (Hong Kong) · 2025Article
- From hospital discharge to long-term care: Unmet rehabilitation needs in cauda equina syndrome patients from a national UK cohort.World neurosurgery: X · 2025Article
- Review/Perspective: Operations for Cauda Equina Syndromes - "The Sooner the Better".Surgical neurology international · 2022Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
7 authors at 4 institutions in 3 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundCauda equina syndrome (CES) is rare neurosurgical emergency requiring emergent surgical decompression to prevent bladder, bowel, and sexual dysfunction that can have significant impact on quality of life. There is a paucity of data relating to the prevalence of these long-term complications.
objectiveThe aim of this observational study was to evaluate the long-term prevalence of CES-related bladder, bowel, and sexual dysfunction and impact on quality of life to inform service provision.
methodsParticipants were selected through coding of operative records of patients who underwent lumbar decompression for CES secondary to a herniated intervertebral disc at two large UK neurosurgical departments between 2011 and 2015 inclusive. A telephone-based survey including both validated and modified tools was used to collect data pertaining to bladder, bowel, and sexual function and impact on quality of life both before development of CES and at the time of the survey, at least 1 year postoperatively.
resultsOf 135 patients contacted, 71 (42 male, 29 female) responded. Post-CES compared to pre-CES, there was higher prevalence and significant intrarespondent deterioration of bowel dysfunction, bladder dysfunction, perception of bladder function, sexual function, effect of back pain on sex life, and activities of daily living/quality of life (
conclusionWe show high prevalence of long-term bowel, bladder, and sexual dysfunction post-CES, with functional and psychosocial consequences. Our results demonstrate the need for preoperative information and subsequent screening and long-term multidisciplinary support for these complications.
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Registered trials
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