Background: Retrograde ejaculation has been reported to range from 2% to 16% following anterior surgical approaches to lower lumbar spine, but the exact incidence is not known. It has been felt for sometime that transecting or extensive dissection of the hypogastric plexus about the lumbo sacral junction could interrupt the sympathetic control of urogenital system and interfere with sexual function.

Invasive tests such as urodynamic tests, anorectal manometry and post ejaculatory urine sample would precisely determine its incidence. As a first step we, along with Urogynaecologist devised and validated a questionnaire to determine the urogenital function post operatively.

Aims & Methods: To retrospectively determine the incidence of sympathetic dysfunction in anterior lumbar spine surgery. 46 of 60 patients (76% response) who had anterior lumbar spinal surgery answered a validated questionnaire with urinary and bowel function, International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) for men and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).

Results: All the females post operatively had retained bowel function and there were no reported cases of sense of urgency, incontinence of stools or flatus. But only one patient reported urinary stress incontinence. There was no change of sexual function as concluded from FSFI score.

In males we had 3 cases of retrograde ejaculation which affected the sexual function (based on IIEF score), and were reported to be resolving slowly. There was no incidence of any urinary or bowel dysfunction postoperatively.

Conclusions: This retrospective study only showed the overall picture of the incidence of pelvic floor dysfunction following anterior spinal surgery. A prospective trial is underway to determine its incidence.