Assessment and support of sexual functioning in 458 men seeking genitourinary reconstructive surgery.

Horton and associates focused on an aspect of genital reconstructive surgery: restored or improved sexual functioning. The availability a physician skilled in the application of modern sexual counseling has been demonstrated in a group of 458 men to assist in maximizing the benefit of such surgery on patients' sexual and coital success. The sexual therapist was a valued member of the team approach to patient care. The necessity of psychiatric assessment for some was apparent, as it would be in any population of patients seeking plastic or corrective surgery. The association of the sexual therapist with various mental health professionals was important. The recognition of mental and emotional difficulties was primary, but the further skills the sexual therapist brought by application of sexual therapy techniques was also important. Men disadvantaged sexually by genital abnormality gained from a sensitive and educational approach, one that included their partners in the context of open communication and offered specific suggestions for their own specific needs and situations. Sexual therapy techniques and skills instruction added a vital dimension to the complete care of these men seeking correction of genital abnormalities. The techniques and approaches themselves were fairly straightforward and simple, as well as fairly standardized. Described by Masters and Johnson, Jones and others, they were clearly effective in enhancing comfort with sexuality and less pressured approaches to sexual behavior, and ultimately in enhancing sexual functioning itself.