Sexual Function in Patients with Spinal Cord Injury

Han, Sung Suk; Choi, Hyung Ki

Abstract

One important aspect for patients with spinal cord injury is adjustment to altered sexual activity. We studied for the evaluation of the sexual function in patients with spinal cord injury. The following results were obtained. l. 46 spinal cord injury patients were interviewed concerning erections, coitus, ejaculation and orgasm. 32 (69.6%) of t6 spinal cord injury patients were returned erections: 14 (30.4%) patients attempt coitus were successful, 7 (15.2%) patients could ejaculate, and 3 (6.5%) patients had orgasm. Psychogenic erection occur more with LMN lesions. Reflexogenic erection was shown at a higher incidence in patients with LMN lesion. In incomplete UMN lesions, both psychogenic and reflexogenic erection occur with the reflexogenic erection being more predominat. 2. In 8 impotent patients due to spinal cord injury, PBI, BCRLT and Papaverine test were measured. 1) In all patients PBI were greater than 0.75. This result was thought to be not related with vasculogenic factor in the impotence due to spinal cord injury. 2) In BCRLT LMN lesion and mixed type showed no response and delay, UMN lesion was within normal limit. 3) In 5 impotent patients due to spinal cord injury, 30mg papaverine was injected into the corpus cavernosum. One patient showed partial erection, and in 4 patient the penile rigidity was lasted upto 60-90 minutes. There was no complication. 3. The Jonas Silicone silver penile prosthesis was implanted in 3 spinal cord injury patients associated with the impotence and neurogenic bladder. There was no complication, no change of previous voiding pattern and no increased residual urine after implantation of penile prosthesis.