Babin and colleagues from the Department of Otolaryngology of the University of Caen France, reviewed 24 studies that evaluated sexual life after total laryngectomy (TL) for cancer. The main endpoint was the impact of impairment of quality of sexual life after TL. The secondary endpoints were the type of sexual impairment, associated variables and their treatment.
The study population
consisted of 1511 TL patients aged 21 to 90 years, with a male/female sex ratio
of 7.5/1. Impaired quality of sexual life was reported by 47% of patients on
average. Erectile and ejaculatory function and ejaculatory behavior of male
patients decreased after TL. Other impairments comprised decreases in libido,
frequency of sexual intercourse and satisfaction. Tracheostomy, advanced
disease stage, young age and associated depression were factors for impairment.
In all, 23% of patients reported lack of postoperative support in this area.
The authors concluded that laryngectomy impacted both
patients and partners, negative effects being reported in more than 30% of
cases. The physical transformation has aesthetic and emotional impact,
inhibiting sexuality. the quality of sexual life is severely impacted by TL for
cancer. There is patient demand for improved management of sexuality.
