Sexual function after Stoppa hernia repair in patients with bilateral inguinal hernia

BACKGROUND This study was performed to evaluate the effect of Stoppa hernia repair on sexual function of the patients with bilateral inguinal hernia. METHODS In a prospective follow-up study, 50 patients with bilateral inguinal hernia were investigated to assess sexual function before and 1 and 6 months after standardized Stoppa hernioplasty using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire. The mean scores obtained on pre- and postoperative visits for all domains of sexual function were analyzed and compared with the Friedman and paired Wilcoxon tests. RESULTS The mean score of IIEF at the first month after surgery was significantly declined compared to that before surgery and 6 months after surgery (P< 0.001), while the difference between preoperative score and the score at 6 months after surgery was not significant CONCLUSION Bilateral inguinal mesh repair with Stoppa technique can decreased sexual activity of the patients at one month after surgery, nevertheless it returns to its initial condition at 6 months after surgery. This suggests that the Stoppa technique does not affect the sexual function of patients with bilateral inguinal hernia.