Effect of Laparoscopic Nerve-sparing Radical Hysterectomy on Bladder Function, Intestinal Function Recovery and Quality of Sexual Life in Patients with Cervical Carcinoma

Objective: To investigate bladder and intestinal function recovery and quality of sexual life after laparoscopicnerve-sparing radical hysterectomy (LNRH) for treatment of early invasive cervical carcinoma.
Methods:Subjects included patients who underwent radical hysterectomy by laparotomy who were randomly assignedto 2 groups: 30 patients who underwent LNRH and 35 classical laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (LRH). Weassessed the patients general clinical information, surgical characteristics, pathological findings, and adjuvanttherapies. A urodynamic study was used to assess bladder function. Intestinal function recovery and qualityof sexual life were evaluated by questionnaire.
Results: No significant differences were found in age, surgerycharacteristics, pathological findings, adjuvant therapies, and main adverse effects between the 2 groups. Themean duration of the postoperative catheterization (DPC) in group LNRH was shorter than that in group LRH(P < 0.001). The maximum flow rate, maximum cystometric capacity , maximum detrusor pressure and urinarycomplications in group LNRH were better than those in group LRH. The quality of sexual life evaluated accordingto the female sexual function index (FSFI) was better in group LNRH than in those who underwent LRH. Theintestinal function of patients in group LNRH also recovered better compared with patients in group LRH.