Evaluation of erectile dysfunction following pelvic fractures: A retrospective analysis.
Pelvic embolization is associated with markedly higher odds of erectile dysfunction after fracture.
Evaluation of erectile dysfunction following pelvic fractures: A retrospective analysis.
Pelvic fractures, typically resulting from high-energy trauma, are associated with substantial mortality and morbidity.
To determine the incidence of erectile dysfunction following traumatic pelvic fractures and identify significant demographic and clinical risk factors.
This retrospective cohort study was conducted at St George Hospital, a Level 1 Trauma Centre in Sydney, Australia.
embolization raises the odds of erectile dysfunction nearly eightfold
Of the 164 patients included, eight (4.9%) were diagnosed with erectile dysfunction.
On univariate analysis, significant risk factors included Injury Severity Score (Injury Severity Score), hospital length of stay, operative management of the fracture, and pelvic embolization.
The observed incidence of erectile dysfunction (4.9%) was lower than reported in the existing literature, likely reflecting systemic under-recognition.
Embolization was identified as the sole independent risk factor for post-traumatic erectile dysfunction.
Routine assessment, standardized documentation, and early urological referral, particularly for patients undergoing embolization are recommended.
Future prospective research should evaluate standardized erectile dysfunction screening protocols and the potential protective effects of selective versus non-selective embolization.