Male retrograde ejaculation is a well-documented but rare complication of anterior approach lumbar spine surgery. Retraction of the soft tissues which encase the superior hypogastric plexus leads to dysfunction of the sympathetic control of the bladder neck sphincter. We postulated that similar nerve root dysfunction in females may lead to bladder problems and sexual dysfunction.

The Female Sexual Function Index Questionnaire was sent to 20 consecutive women who had undergone anterior spinal surgery by the senior author (GM).

Questionnaires were returned by 11 of the 20 subjects. 6 had undergone disc replacement surgery and 5 anterior lumbar interbody fusion. All procedures used an anterior retroperitoneal approach. The age range was 20 to 49 years (mean 40.2 years). There were no immediate peri-operative complications. The mean time since surgery was 4.9 years (range 3.1 to 5.8 years).

The Female Sexual Function Index is a validated questionnaire used internationally as the gold standard measure of sexual dysfunction in women. Urinary frequency and incontinence were also recorded.

9 women (82%) described a degree of post-operative sexual dysfunction with 7 (64%) recording urinary frequency and urge incontinence.

Although some sexual dysfunction may be expected from pre-existing conditions, we highlight this complication following anterior lumbar spine surgery in females. We plan to further investigate its incidence and possible resolution of symptoms after a prolonged period in a larger case series.