Clinical recommendations on penile reconstructive and prosthetic surgery: a consensus statement from the Asia-Pacific Society of Sexual Medicine.

Introduction: Penile reconstructive and prosthetic surgery remains a highly specialized field where potential complications can be devastating, and unrealistic patient expectations can often be difficult to manage. Furthermore, surgical practice can vary depending on locoregional expertise and sociocultural factors. Methods: The Asia Pacific Society of Sexual Medicine (APSSM) panel of experts reviewed contemporary evidence regarding penile reconstructive and prosthetic surgery with an emphasis on key issues relevant to the Asia-Pacific (AP) region and developed a consensus statement and set of clinical practice recommendations on behalf of the APSSM. The Medline and EMBASE databases were searched using the following terms: "penile prosthesis implant," "Peyronie's disease," "penile lengthening," "penile augmentation," "penile enlargement," "buried penis," "penile disorders," "penile trauma," "transgender," and "penile reconstruction" between January 2001 and June 2022. A modified Delphi method was undertaken, and the panel evaluated, agreed, and provided consensus statements on clinically relevant penile reconstructive and prosthetic surgery, namely (1) penile prosthesis implantation, (2) Peyronie's disease, (3) penile trauma, (4) gender-affirming (phalloplasty) surgery, and (5) penile esthetic (length and/or girth enlargement) surgery. Main outcome measures: Outcomes were specific statements and clinical recommendations according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine, and if clinical evidence is lacking, a consensus agreement is adopted. The panel provided statements on clinical aspects of surgical management in penile reconstructive and prosthetic surgery. Results: There is a variation in surgical algorithms in patients based on sociocultural characteristics and the availability of local resources. Performing preoperative counseling and obtaining adequate informed consent are paramount and should be conducted to discuss various treatment options, including the pros and cons of each surgical intervention. Patients should be provided with information regarding potential complications related to surgery, and strict adherence to safe surgical principles, preoperative optimization of medical comorbidities and stringent postoperative care are important to improve patient satisfaction rates. For complex patients, surgical intervention should ideally be referred and performed by expert high-volume surgeons to maximize clinical outcomes. Clinical implications: Due to the uneven distribution of surgical access and expertise across the AP region, development of relevant comprehensive surgical protocols and regular training programs is desirable. Strengths and Limitations: This consensus statement covers comprehensive penile reconstructive and prosthetic surgery topics and is endorsed by the APSSM. The variations in surgical algorithms and lack of sufficient high-level evidence in these areas could be stated as a limitation. Conclusion: This APSSM consensus statement provides clinical recommendations on the surgical management of various penile reconstructive and prosthetic surgeries. The APSSM advocates for surgeons in AP to individualize surgical options based on patient condition(s) and needs, surgeon expertise, and local resources.

Management of urethral atrophy after implantation of artificial urinary sphincter: what are the weaknesses?

The use of artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence has become more prevalent, especially in the "prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-era", when more patients are treated for localized prostate cancer. The first widely accepted device was the AMS 800, but since then, other devices have also entered the market. While efficacy has increased with improvements in technology and technique, and patient satisfaction is high, AUS implantation still has inherent risks and complications of any implant surgery, in addition to the unique challenges of urethral complications that may be associated with the cuff. Furthermore, the unique nature of the AUS, with a control pump, reservoir, balloon cuff, and connecting tubing, means that mechanical complications can also arise from these individual parts. This article aims to present and summarize the current literature on the management of complications of AUS, especially urethral atrophy. We conducted a literature search on PubMed from January 1990 to December 2018 on AUS complications and their management. We review the various potential complications and their management. AUS complications are either mechanical or nonmechanical complications. Mechanical complications usually involve malfunction of the AUS. Nonmechanical complications include infection, urethral atrophy, cuff erosion, and stricture. Challenges exist especially in the management of urethral atrophy, with both tandem implants, transcorporal cuffs, and cuff downsizing all postulated as potential remedies. Although complications from AUS implants are not common, knowledge of the management of these issues are crucial to ensure care for patients with these implants. Further studies are needed to further evaluate these techniques.

Rare isolated synchronous splenic metastasis in a patient with type II papillary renal cell carcinoma.

Metastatic disease is common in renal cell carcinoma (RCC), with a third of cases being synchronous. RCC is known to metastasize to any organ in the body; however, isolated splenic metastasis is extremely rare. We report a case of synchronous splenic metastasis from type II papillary RCC with 80% sarcomatoid change. He was successfully treated with a right radical nephrectomy with en-bloc right liver resection and splenectomy with negative margins to achieve removal of the primary tumour and complete metastasectomy. He underwent 6 cycles adjuvant chemotherapy with Gemcitabine. The patient developed disease recurrence in the spine at the 6th post-operative month with a pathological fracture at T3 and cord indentation for which he underwent posterior decompression and instrumentation and palliative radiotherapy. He recovered well and remains ambulant. Surveillance scans 16 months post-surgery revealed no tumour recurrence or new metastasis.

Safety Profile of Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum Stratified by Degree of Penile Curvature in Patients With Peyronie Disease.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the safety of collagenase clostridium histolyticum (CCH) in adult men with penile curvature deformity <30°. CCH is indicated for treatment of Peyronie disease in adult men with palpable plaque and a penile curvature deformity ≥30° at start of therapy; however, during treatment, patients may receive CCH injections when penile curvature deformity is <30°. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who received ≥2 CCH treatment cycles in 2 phase 3 studies (Investigation for Maximal Peyronie's Reduction Efficacy and Safety Studies I and II) were included. All patients had penile curvature ≥30° at the beginning of treatment and could receive up to 4 treatment cycles. The rate and number of treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) with CCH treatment were compared between patients with penile curvature deformity ≥30° and penile curvature <30°. RESULTS: The number of CCH treatment cycles included in the current analysis totaled 1204 and 289 cycles in patients with penile curvature deformity ≥30° and <30°, respectively. The incidence of most TRAEs was similar between groups. Rates of penile swelling (21.1% vs 14.5%, P = .007), penile hemorrhage (12.8% vs 8.9%; P = .046), and skin hyperpigmentation (1.0% vs 0.1%; P = .025) were significantly higher in the <30° group. The occurrence of serious TRAEs was similar between groups. CONCLUSION: No clinically meaningful differences were observed with TRAE rates when CCH injections were administered at penile curvature deformity ≥30° vs CCH injections at penile curvature deformity <30°. These findings highlight the safety of continued CCH injections for patients who have achieved penile curvature deformity <30° after an initial treatment cycle of CCH.

Erectile dysfunction treatment and traditional medicine-can East and West medicine coexist?

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common sexual problem affecting many men irrespective of cultures, beliefs and nationalities. While medical therapy for ED has been revolutionized by the advent of oral phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors and intracavernosal injection of vasoactive agents, recent technological advances such stem cell therapy, low intensity shock wave and newer generation of penile prosthesis implant offer hope to men who do not respond to conventional medical therapy. In contrast, traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) focuses on the restoration and better overall bodily regulation with the use of various herbal and animal products as well as exercises to invigorate qi (energy) in vital organs. Western medicine involves an analysis of ED symptom and underlying causes that contribute to ED, while TCM emphases the concept of holism and harmonization of body organs to achieve natural sexual life. The following article reviews our current understanding regarding the philosophical approach, and evaluates the evidence surrounding various ED therapies between mainstream Western Medicine and TCM.

Injectable therapy for Peyronie's disease.

Peyronie's disease is a disfiguring and psychologically devastating disease, which continues to pose a significant clinical conundrum to the attending doctor. Many forms of therapy have been trialled but results have been inconsistent at best. Non-surgical therapy revolves around oral, intralesional and shockwave therapies. The focus of this paper is on intralesional agents, their evolution and efficacy of treatments. The mere fact that so many agents have been tried is a testament to the incomplete knowledge that we have with regards to the underlying pathophysiology of the disease. Currently, the only U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved agent that has shown fairly consistent results is Clostridium histiolyticum collagenase (Xiaflex(TM)), whereas calcium channel blockers and interferons (IFN) remain as off-label options.

Erectile dysfunction.

Erectile dysfunction is a multidimensional but common male sexual dysfunction that involves an alteration in any of the components of the erectile response, including organic, relational and psychological. Roles for nonendocrine (neurogenic, vasculogenic and iatrogenic) and endocrine pathways have been proposed. Owing to its strong association with metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease, cardiac assessment may be warranted in men with symptoms of erectile dysfunction. Minimally invasive interventions to relieve the symptoms of erectile dysfunction include lifestyle modifications, oral drugs, injected vasodilator agents and vacuum erection devices. Surgical therapies are reserved for the subset of patients who have contraindications to these nonsurgical interventions, those who experience adverse effects from (or are refractory to) medical therapy and those who also have penile fibrosis or penile vascular insufficiency. Erectile dysfunction can have deleterious effects on a man's quality of life; most patients have symptoms of depression and anxiety related to sexual performance. These symptoms, in turn, affect his partner's sexual experience and the couple's quality of life. This Primer highlights numerous aspects of erectile dysfunction, summarizes new treatment targets and ongoing preclinical studies that evaluate new pharmacotherapies, and covers the topic of regenerative medicine, which represents the future of sexual medicine.

Tumour lysis syndrome: A rare acute presentation of locally advanced testicular cancer - Case report and review of literature.

Tumour lysis syndrome (TLS) is a potentially fatal complication of malignancy or its treatment. This uncommon syndrome comprises laboratory findings of hyperuricaemia, hypocalcaemia, hyperkalaemia and hyperphosphataemia. A literature search revealed a total of eight patients, with testicular cancer, who had TLS. All these patients had metastatic disease. We present a unique case of a 47-year-old gentleman we saw in clinic, who presented with a rapidly growing right groin mass and acute breathlessness, and discuss the diagnosis and management of TLS. TLS is extremely rare in testicular cancer but necessitates the awareness of urologists. TLS can occur spontaneously in testicular malignancy. Cell lysis in a rapidly proliferating germ cell tumour is a possible mechanism. The prompt identification and institution of management for TLS is crucial to improve clinical outcomes.

Transforming Growth Factor-ß1 Induced Urethral Fibrosis in a Rat Model.

PURPOSE: We sought to develop a reproducible TGF-ß1 injection technique to induce urethral fibrosis in the rat urethra. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 32 male Sprague Dawley® rats weighing 300 to 350 gm were anesthetized with ketamine/xylazine intraperitoneally. Using a 5 mm penoscrotal incision the rat urethra was exposed. In the experimental group varying doses of TGF-ß1 (5, 10 and 25 µg) were injected in each side of the urethral wall. Normal saline infiltration was used in the sham treated group. Rats were sacrificed 2 and 4 weeks following TGF-ß1 injection. Urethral specimens were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and Masson trichrome, and Western blot evaluations were performed. Normal and strictured urethral tissues from patients were collected and evaluated in the same fashion. RESULTS: There was no evidence of urethral wall thickening or fibrosis in the sham treated group. Varied histological evidence of fibrosis was noted in all experimental groups. There was a significant increase in collagen type I expression 2 weeks after injection of 5, 10 and 25 µg TGF-ß1. Collagen type III expression was significantly increased 2 weeks after injecting 10 and 25 µg of TGF-ß1, which persisted to 28 days after injection. CONCLUSIONS: TGF-ß1 injection can successfully generate a reproducible rat model of urethral spongiofibrosis. This technique is simple, inexpensive and reproducible. Our series is a proof of concept study. Additional studies in larger animals are needed to further confirm our findings.

Testosterone and the Prostate.

INTRODUCTION: Late-onset hypogonadism, lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to benign prostatic enlargement (BPE), and prostate cancer commonly coexist in the aging male. Due to a better understanding of the physiology and impact of testosterone on benign and malignant diseases of the prostate, the view toward testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in these individuals has changed dramatically over time. AIM: This communication evaluates the effects of testosterone on benign prostatic growth and prostate cancer and reviews the evidence for TRT for men with BPE and prostate cancer. METHODS: A literature review was performed with regards to TRT in men with prostate cancer as well as the effect of testosterone on the growth of benign prostate tissue and prostate cancer carcinogenesis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: To evaluate the evidence for an effect of testosterone on the growth of benign prostate tissue and the development of prostate cancer and TRT in men with prostate cancer. RESULTS: TRT does not exacerbate LUTS. Current evidence is lacking but suggests that TRT may not increase the risk of subsequent diagnosis of prostate cancer, and is unlikely to impact recurrence or progression for men with treated prostate cancer, but longer follow-up is needed. CONCLUSIONS: There is no evidence to suggest that TRT is contraindicated in men with BPE or effectively treated prostate cancer. Tan RBW, Silberstein JL, and Hellstrom WJG. Testosterone and the prostate. Sex Med Rev 2014;2:112-120.

Avanafil for erectile dysfunction in elderly and younger adults: differential pharmacology and clinical utility.

The treatment modalities of erectile dysfunction range from oral pharmacotherapy to intracavernosal injections, intraurethral pellets, vacuum erectile devices, and the surgical option of penile prosthesis insertion. Oral phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors still remain the preferred treatment for patients since they are the least invasive, not to mention that they can be prescribed by non-urologists. Due to these factors, there has been development of newer drugs with fewer side effects. This is a review of the second generation phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor, avanafil, looking into its pharmacology as well as its clinical utility. Avanafil's faster onset and shorter duration of action has made it preferred as compared to other PDE5 inhibitors for patients with multiple comorbidities.

Clinical Use of Aromatase Inhibitors in Adult Males.

INTRODUCTION: There is a growing interest in the treatment of late-onset hypogonadism, another name for the study of testosterone deficiency in an older age group. Initial attempts at testosterone replacement have also brought attention to the possible adverse effects on the patients' cardiovascular risk factors and their prostate health. The "female" hormone estradiol is no longer considered as the feminizing hormone, as it has been identified to have an effect on the sexual and general well-being of adult males. Urologists and endocrinologists alike have started to pay attention to the serum T/E2 (testosterone : estradiol) ratio that appears to be more important than the respective individual hormonal levels. Therein lies the possible role of aromatase inhibitors (AIs) in restoring the normal balance of serum testosterone and estradiol levels for the adequate treatment of late-onset hypogonadism, while limiting the potential adverse effects. Currently, other established clinical indications of AIs include the treatment of breast cancer in female patients and developmental growth problems in pediatric patients. AIM: This review evaluates the role of AIs as a treatment option for late-onset hypogonadism and the evidence for its other clinical uses in men, including its possible adverse effects. METHODS: A literature review was performed with regards to the use of aromatase inhibitors in adult males, the role of estrogens in adult males, as well as adverse effect of AIs on bone health in adult males. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: To evaluate the evidence for the use of AIs in adult males to treat late-onset hypogonadism, obesity-related hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, gynecomastia, and male subfertility. To evaluate the evidence for the possible adverse effects on the bone health of adult males with the use of AIs. RESULTS: Currently there is no literature to recommend the use of AIs in adult males to treat late-onset hypogonadism, obesity-related hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, gynecomastia, or male subfertility, although some positive effects have been reported. The adverse effects on bone health seen in females treated with AIs are not seen in males. CONCLUSIONS: With the better understanding of the T/E2 ratio in adult males, the lack of scientific data to show that bone health is adversely affected by AI usage in adult males, the positive effects of AIs on the treatment of conditions like late-onset hypogonadism and male subfertility encourages conducting large-scale, multicenter, randomized controlled trials for the clinical use of AIs in adult males. Tan RBW, Guay AT, and Hellstrom WJG. Clinical use of aromatase inhibitors in adult males. Sex Med Rev 2014;2:79-90.

Update on medical management of Peyronie's disease.

The treatment of Peyronie's disease (PD) is a challenge for the clinician. In the quest to straighten the penis, alleviate pain, prevent further shortening, and restore erectile function, many non-surgical treatments have been offered in lieu of an operative approach, which is still considered the gold standard for definitive treatment. This communication is an update on the different approaches used in the minimally invasive management of this frustrating and yet intriguing condition.

The non-surgical treatment of peyronie disease: 2013 update.

Peyronie disease is a common cause of penile deformity and sexual dysfunction. Although surgery is regarded as the definitive management for this condition, there are many medical and minimally invasive therapies available, with widely varying efficacy reported in the literature. The purpose of this review is to describe the current state-of-the-art for each of the most commonly used as well as several developing non-surgical treatments. Further, we hope to offer perspectives that will aid practitioners in deciding among these treatments that are either already in use or have the potential to be used as alternatives to surgery in the management of this frustrating disease.