Questions posted in the Heart Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

Question Title: Aortic Anuerysm Surgery

Forum: The Heart Forum
Topic: Heart Disease

My husband [50 yrs] had a CT to help prepare him for
colon resection to remove a malignant tumor. The CT shwed
an aortic anuerysm in the abdomin near the area needing
surgery. This complicated his course of treatment, the
bowel resection came frst, followed by a colostomy due to
leakage. Then 6 weekw of weekly Chemo [5FU] and the
anuerysm repair, which was succesful and has healed well.
As soon as he was able additional chemo [continuous] and
30 radiation treatments were followed by 6 weekly chemo
treatments. My Question: He had normal erections after
the two initial surgeries and the first 6 weeks of chemo.
Since the anuerysm repair he has had no erections at all
and no apparent interest. Is it likesy that this is due
to the aortic surgery? If so is there hope for return of
normal function? Is there other more obvious causes? The
Dr. who performed the bowel resection and colostomy told
us that this was a posibiity because of the proximity of
certain nerves. None of the other Drs. or the literature
we recieved from them indicates that this would be a
problem side effect from their procedures or treatment.
Thank You.


Dear Roxie,

Thank you for your question. The evaluation of erectile dysfunction is complex and your husband should seek the opinion of a Urologist for a complete work-up. I suppose it is possible that the surgery caused some problem but there are other potential causes as well. There are good treatments for erectile dysfunction and this is not an uncommon problem. Encourage your husband to seek the opinion of a urologist for this condition.

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