Sexual function after resection of urethral diverticulum

Purpose Retrospective evaluation of sexual function, urodynamic changes and surgical complications before and after resection of urethral diverticulum in a single surgical center.

Materials We evaluated 40 female patients retrospectively who presented with symptomatic urethral diverticulum and underwent surgery between 2008-2018. The follow-up period lasted for 12 months.

Methods Sexual function was determined by the female sexual function index (FSFI) before and twelve months after surgery. All subjects had a pre- and postoperative multichannel urodynamic assessment. For statistical analysis a two-tailed paired t-test was conducted.

Results The FSFI results showed an improvement for the domains satisfaction (P < 0.0001) and pain (P < 0.0001). No significant difference was found for desire, arousal, lubrication and orgasm. Maximum urethral closure pressure deteriorated from 39 to 36 cmH2O (P < 0.0008) and residual increased from 10ml to 20ml after surgery (P = 0.0019). No statistical significance was found in bladder capacitiy and free urinary flow.

Conclusions Only satisfaction and pain as part of sexual function significantly improved by resection of a urethral diverticulum. Possibly all other domains are not disturbed by the presence of urethral diverticulum. In urodynamic assessment maximum urethral closure pressure and residual worsened but in a clinical non-relevant dimension. The deterioration of maximum urethral closure pressure may be due to surgical denervation.

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Publication History

Article published online:
07 October 2020