Early surgical repair or conservative treatment? Comparing patients with penile fracture concerning long-term sexual functions.

BACKGROUND: To compare the patients who underwent early surgical repair of penile fracture, which is one of the urological emergencies, and patients who recovered with conservative treatment concerning long-term sexual functions. METHODS: The data of 42 patients who applied to our clinic with penile fracture between January 2010 and January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were categorized into two groups as early operated and followed-up conservatively. The preoperative and postoperative findings of the patients were compared with the International Erectile Function Scale (IIEF-6) scores in the long-term follow-up. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 35 (20-65) years and the median follow-up period was 52 (8-120) months. The postoperative mean IIEF-6 score of the patients was 22.98±6.52. There was no significant difference between the surgical and the conservative groups concerning postoperative complications (p=0.460). In the follow-up period, the presence of palpable plaque on the rupture area was significantly higher in the conservative group (p=0.041). However, there was no significant difference between the groups concerning IIEF-6 scores (p=0.085). CONCLUSION: Although there is no significant difference in long-term IIEF-6 scores between the two groups, the rate of palpable plaque formation is higher in patients followed-up conservatively. Therefore, early surgical repair should be considered in the foreground, especially in patients with a large rupture area.

Floppy Glans-Classification, Diagnosis and Treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Glans hypermobility presents a rarely observed complication of penile prosthesis implantation. It may result in patient dissatisfaction because of painful intercourse, difficulties during penetrative sex, and a poor cosmetic result. This problem may prevent the patient from using an otherwise fully functional implant. AIM: To summarize current knowledge, clarify terminology, and review treatment options of multifaceted diagnosis of floppy glans. METHODS: Analysis of published literature and experience of authors' institution. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: We reviewed publications that outlined incidence, pathophysiology, diagnostics, and management strategies of floppy glans phenomenon. RESULTS: Floppy glans phenomenon can result from the soft glans, incorrect position, or size of the implant cylinders or the anatomy of the glans. A careful physical examination with a fully inflated implant will indicate the direction of the droop and can be very helpful in distinguishing the underlying cause of the deformity. In ambiguous cases obtaining a correct diagnosis will often involve imaging-magnetic resonance imaging or penile ultrasound scanning of the inflated device. Cooperation with an experienced uroradiologist is invaluable in such cases. The glanspexy procedure should be performed according to the surgeon's experience and preference. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the different glans abnormalities and unified terminology is crucial for optimization of the treatment. Medical therapy can always be tried before revision surgery, as long as it is safe for the patient and function of the implant. The accuracy of the position and size of the implant should always be thoroughly assessed before a diagnosis of the real glans hypermobility is made and treatment provided. Skrodzka M, Heffernan Ho D, Ralph D. Floppy Glans-Classification, Diagnosis And Treatment. Sex Med Rev 2020;8:303-313.

Penile Girth Enlargement Strategies: What's the Evidence?

INTRODUCTION: Most men seeking penile girth augmentation have physiologically normal penises but may suffer from severe preoccupation with penis size known as penile dysmorphophobic disorder. AIM: To describe the medical, procedural, and reconstructive techniques available for penile girth enhancement and to review the success and complications of each modality. METHODS: A comprehensive review of peer-reviewed publications on the topic was performed through a PubMed search. Key search terms included penis, enhancement, enlargement, phalloplasty, reconstruction, girth, and augmentation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: We wanted to summarize the motivations behind penile girth enhancement and review the outcomes for girth augmentation treatments. RESULTS: Various medical, traction, injection, prosthetic, and reconstructive modalities have been studied for penile girth enhancement, with increases in girth ranging from 0-4.9 cm. Complications were reported in a minority of patients, but they may be devastating and include penile fibrosis, sexual dysfunction, device infection, and death. CONCLUSION: A variety of penile girth augmentation techniques have been studied. Clinical guidelines are lacking, and complications of penile girth enhancement are likely underreported. Until more rigorous investigation with accurate reporting of complications is achieved, penile girth augmentation procedures should be considered experimental. Hehemann MC, Towe M, Huynh LM, et al. Penile Girth Enlargement Strategies: What's the Evidence? Sex Med 2019;7:535-547.

Penile length is preserved after implant surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate if there is a correlation between penile size measured preoperatively and erect penis after penile implant surgery (PI). A common cause of patient dissatisfaction after PI is caused by patients complaining that surgery has shortened the penis. It has been suggested that stretched penile length preoperatively is almost the same after surgery when the prosthesis is in erect status. However, no comprehensive data supports this theory. This prospective study was done to investigate this theory. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Standardised measurements of stretched penile length and girth were performed in theatre before PI implantation then re-measured at the end of the procedure with the penis in the erect position. We recorded type of PI, cylinder lengths and malleable rod diameters. All patients had data recorded on body mass index (BMI), hypertension (HTN), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c ), and Peyronie's disease (PD). RESULTS: In all, 133 patients were assessed; 88 (66.2%) had a malleable penile prosthesis (MPP) and 45 (33.8%) an inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP). The median age and BMI were 56 years and 30 kg/m2 , respectively. In all, 40 (30.1%) patients had HTN, 37 (27.8%) had PD, and 89 (66.9%) were diabetic. The mean (SD) pre-implant stretched length was 12.8 (1.8) cm. The mean (SD) flaccid girth was 10.3 (1.2) cm. Postoperatively, the mean (SD) erect length and girth were 13.1 (1.7) cm and 11.3 (1.3) cm, respectively. Overall, there was a significant (P < 0.05) increase in both the mean (SD) length at +0.36 (0.63) cm, and girth at +1.04 (1.02) cm. Patients who had an IPP, had a greater increase in both length (mean [SD] 0.62 [0.72] cm) and girth (mean [SD] 1.7 [1.0] cm) compared to those who had a MPP (mean [SD] 0.22 [0.53] cm and 0.7 [0.87] cm, respectively) (P < 0.05). We investigated correlations between pre- and postoperative outcomes related to BMI, HTN, diabetes, and PD. None of these variables affected outcome. CONCLUSIONS: PI surgery does not significantly decrease penile size compared to the preoperative assessment. The outcome was not affected by co-morbidities. The preoperative length and girth correlated well with the immediate postoperative erect penis, although girth was not necessarily comparable in this series of patients measured under anaesthesia. Recording penile dimensions in the clinic and agreeing these with patients' preoperatively may be a way of improving satisfaction levels with this surgery.

Photo Rounds: Painless penile ulcer and tender inguinal lymphadenopathy.

Our patient had previously been treated for syphilis. But when his symptoms persisted, further testing revealed that he was being treated for the wrong STD.

Surgical Management of Adult-acquired Buried Penis: Impact on Urinary and Sexual Quality of Life Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To assess postoperative patient-reported quality of life outcomes after surgical management of adult-acquired buried penis (AABP). We hypothesize that surgical treatment of AABP results in improvements in urinary and sexual quality of life. METHODS: Patients that underwent surgical treatment of AABP were retrospectively identified. The Expanded Prostate Cancer Index (EPIC) questionnaire was completed at ≥3 months postoperatively, and completed retrospectively to define preoperative symptoms. EPIC is validated for local treatment of prostate cancer. Urinary and sexual domains were utilized. Questions are scored on a 5-point Likert scale, with higher scores indicating better quality of life. Preoperative scores were compared with postoperative scores. RESULTS: Sixteen patients completed pre- and postoperative questionnaires. Mean time from surgery to questionnaire was 12.6 months. There was a significant improvement in 10 of 12 urinary domain questions and 10 of 13 sexual domain questions. Fourteen of 16 patients (87.5%) reported significant improvement in overall sexual function (median score changed from 1.5 to 5, P <.0001). Similarly, 14 of 16 patients (87.5%) reported significant improvement in overall urinary function (median score changed from 1 to 4, P <.0001). CONCLUSION: AABP is a challenging condition to treat and often requires surgical intervention to improve hygiene and function. There are limited data on patient-reported quality of life outcomes. We found that surgical management of AABP results in significant improvements in both urinary and sexual quality of life outcomes.

Penile Length: Measurement Technique and Applications.

INTRODUCTION: Penile size has long been an important fixation in men's lives. On the one hand, a smaller penis has been associated with anxiety and apprehension; on the other hand, a larger penis has generally been related to virility and strength. These perceptions predominate during an erection, when penile size is representative of a man's masculinity. AIM: To assess adult penile length and summarize average penile length assessments from the literature; analyze how various urologic diseases and therapies affect penile length and volume; and review how surgical treatments for Peyronie's disease, penile prosthesis implantation, and radical prostatectomy can affect penile size to appropriately counsel patients seeking such therapies and set realistic goals for patients. METHODS: To achieve the aim of this review, we analyzed the literature on penile size and volume and how these can be affected by various urologic diagnoses and therapies. We summarize common diagnoses and therapies that can affect penile size. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: We thoroughly discuss how the aforementioned diagnoses and therapies can negatively affect penile size. In doing so, we allow readers to understand the intricacies of penile size when faced with such diagnoses and therapies in their patients. RESULTS: Surgical treatments for Peyronie's disease, penile prosthesis implantation for refractory erectile dysfunction, and radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer can lead to a decrease in penile size. CONCLUSION: Urologists must recognize that the different therapies they offer can affect a man's penile size, often negatively. This in turn can lead to poorer satisfaction outcomes in patients. Davoudzadeh EP, Davoudzadeh NP, Margolin E, et al. Penile Length: Measurement Technique and Applications. Sex Med Rev 2018;6:261-271.

Pain Management in Penile Prosthetic Surgery: A Review of the Literature.

INTRODUCTION: The literature on perioperative pain control and management in inflatable penile prosthesis placement is not firmly established. Because inflatable penile prosthesis placement is an elective procedure, pain can be one of the many issues that influence patient decision making. Pain control also presents a unique challenge to providers in an era of widespread opiate abuse. AIM: To review published data on pain management before, during, and after penile prosthetic surgery. METHODS: Peer-reviewed literature and conference abstracts were analyzed for all relevant publications related to this issue. RESULTS: The past several decades have seen a shift from general to local anesthesia for penile prosthetic surgery. This has been well characterized and is seen as successful with different local anesthetic options and techniques. To date, only one study has provided follow-up for longer than 1 week regarding postoperative pain management for prosthetic surgery. CONCLUSION: Perioperative pain management for the patient receiving a penile prosthetic is well characterized; postoperative pain management is not. Although periprocedural local anesthesia has been well described for penile prosthesis surgery, a standardized postoperative pain management plan does not exist. This review highlights the need for further characterization of postoperative pain and the subsequent development of an algorithmic approach for management. Reinstatler L, Shee K, Gross MS. Pain Management in Penile Prosthetic Surgery: A Review of the Literature. Sex Med Rev 2018;6:162-169.

Patient-Reported Social, Psychological, and Urologic Outcomes After Adult Buried Penis Repair.

OBJECTIVE: To assess changes in hygiene, urination, and sexual activity after surgery for adult-acquired buried penis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included men who underwent buried penis repair from 2011 to 2015. Patients were asked pre- and postoperative questions on hygiene, urinary difficulties, sexual difficulties, and difficulties with activities of daily living (modified Post-Bariatric Surgery Quality of Life Questionnaire). Postoperative satisfaction was assessed at a minimum of 6 months. Pre- and postoperative data were compared with chi-squared analyses. RESULTS: Of 14 eligible patients, 12 completed postoperative questionnaires. Buried penis repair required debridement of penile skin with split-thickness skin grafting to penis (n = 11; 92%), escutcheonectomy (n = 12; 100%) and abdominoplasty (n = 10; 83%), scrotoplasty (n = 7; 59%), and securing the supra-penile dermis to the pubic dermal or periosteal tissue (n = 12, 100%). The average length of follow-up was 31 months (±20 months). Mean age was 50 (±10.5 years) and mean body mass index was 55 (±13.7 kg/m2). Wound complications (all Clavian Grade 1) occurred in 9 of 12 patients. Patients reported improvement in hygiene (100%), urination (91%), and sexual function (41%); 92% of patients reported they would choose to have the surgery again; and 83% felt that surgery had led to a positive change in their lives. The ability to perform most activities of daily living, as assessed by the Post-Bariatric Surgery Quality of Life Questionnaire, improved significantly. Over 90% of men had lost additional body weight at last clinical follow-up. CONCLUSION: Buried penis repair positively impacts social, psychological, and functional outcomes for patients. Wound complications should be expected but are easily managed.

Stem Cells in Male Sexual Dysfunction: Are We Getting Somewhere?

INTRODUCTION: Stem cells for sexual disorders are steadily being introduced into clinical trials. Two conditions of importance are the main target for this line of treatment, especially when regarding the wide array of translational and basic science highlighting the potential advantages of regenerative therapy: erectile dysfunction (ED) and more recently Peyronie disease (PD). Cellular therapy offers a treatment modality that might reverse disease progression. It would be used in a curative setting, in contrast to other pharmaceutical agents that are currently available. AIM: To review basic preclinical studies and recent clinical trials of stem cells on ED and PD. METHODS: A search of the medical literature for the following terms was performed using PubMed: stem cells, cellular therapy, erectile dysfunction, Peyronie's disease, and clinical trial. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A non-systematic narrative review and critical reflection on preclinical and clinical studies administering stem cells for ED and PD in animal models and human subjects. RESULTS: Numerous studies have confirmed the beneficial functional effects of stem cell injection in established animal models on ED and PD. Various stem cell types have been adopted, from embryonic to adult mesenchymal cell types. Each cell type offers distinctive advantages and disadvantages. Diverse administrations of stem cells were investigated, with insignificant variability in the ultimate results. Stem cells appear to have a pronounced paracrine effect, rather than the classic engraftment and differentiation hypothesis. Phase 1 clinical trials using stem cells have not reported any severe adverse events in animals. However, these results cannot be extrapolated to draw any conclusions about efficacy in human patients. CONCLUSION: Stem cells have an established efficacy in preclinical studies and early clinical trials. Studies are currently being published demonstrating the safety of intrapenile injection of autologous bone marrow- and adipose tissue-derived stem cells. Soebadi MA, Milenkovic U, Weyne E, et al. Stem Cells in Male Sexual Dysfunction: Are We Getting Somewhere? Sex Med Rev 2017;5:222-235.

Review of Management Options for Patients With Atypical Peyronie's Disease.

INTRODUCTION: Peyronie's disease (PD) is a wound-healing disorder of the tunica albuginea often associated with penile deformity. Less commonly, patients with PD might display atypical presentations such as ventral curvature, hourglass deformity, significantly shortened penis, and/or multiplanar curvature. AIM: To review the available literature on the prevalence of and management options for atypical PD. METHODS: A literature review was performed through PubMed from 1982 through 2016 regarding atypical PD. Keywords used for the search were Peyronie's disease, atypical Peyronie's disease, ventral Peyronie's disease, ventral plaque, hourglass deformity, penile indentation, penile notching, short penis, shortened penis, shrunken penis, biplanar curvature, and multiplanar curvature. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: To assess the various surgical and non-surgical techniques used for the management of atypical PD. RESULTS: Collagenase Clostridium histolyticum is contraindicated for patients with ventral plaques and/or hourglass deformities. Patients with maintained erectile function and ventral PD plaques are best treated with intralesional injections of interferon alpha-2b or tunica plication. Patients with maintained erectile function with PD associated with hourglass deformity and/or multiplanar curvature are best treated with plaque incision or partial excision and grafting. Patients with a shortened penis could attempt conservative measures such as penile traction therapy and medical management. When erectile function is compromised, insertion of an inflatable penile prosthesis with or without ancillary straightening procedures should be recommended. Lengthening procedures can be attempted in very special circumstances by expert surgeons. CONCLUSION: There is a paucity of data regarding atypical PD. Ventral plaques can be treated with intralesional injections or surgery, hourglass deformity and multiplanar curvatures are best managed surgically, and a shortened penis should be treated with non-invasive approaches. When concomitant erectile dysfunction is present, insertion of an inflatable penile prosthesis is recommended. Caution should be advised before undergoing ancillary penile lengthening maneuvers owing to the potential for serious complications. Yafi FA, Hatzichristodoulou G, DeLay KJ, Hellstrom WJG. Review of Management Options for Patients With Atypical Peyronie's Disease. Sex Med Rev 2017;5:211-221.

Assessment of penile erection methods in rhesus macaques to model pharmacokinetics of antiretroviral drugs and penile infection with simian immunodeficiency virus.

BACKGROUND: An established macaque model to assess HIV interventions against penile transmission is currently not available. Physiological changes during penile erections may affect susceptibility to infection and drug pharmacokinetics (PK). Here, we identify methods to establish erections in macaques to evaluate penile transmission, PK, and efficacy under physiologic conditions. METHODS: Penile rigidity and length were evaluated in eight rhesus macaques following rectal electrostimulation (RES), vibratory stimulation (VS), or pharmacological treatment with Sildenafil Citrate (Viagra) or Alprostadil. RESULTS: Rectal electrostimulation treatment increased penile rigidity (>82%) and length (2.5 ± 0.58 cm), albeit the response was transient. In contrast, VS alone or coupled with Viagra or Alprostadil failed to elicit an erection response. CONCLUSION: Rectal electrostimulation treatment elicits transient but consistent penile erections in macaques. High rigidity following RES treatment demonstrates increased blood flow and may provide a functional model for penile PK evaluations and possibly simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) transmission under erect conditions.

Penile Prosthesis Implantation in Patients with a History of Total Phallic Construction.

INTRODUCTION: Outcomes following penile prosthesis implantation in patients with a history of total phallic construction are not well described. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate outcomes following neophallus penile prosthesis placement. METHODS: Retrospective review penile prosthesis placement in patients with prior total phallic construction. GORE-TEX® (Gore Medical, Flagstaff, AZ) sleeve neotunica construction was utilized in all patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Success defined as patient sexual activity with a functioning prosthesis. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients underwent neophallic prosthesis implantation at a mean 35.6 years of age. Prosthesis placement occurred at an average 56.3 months following phallic construction and follow-up was a mean of 59.7 months. Malleable prostheses were placed in 21 patients and inflatable in 10; implants were bilateral in 94%. Six percent experienced operative complications including a bladder injury (1) and phallic flap arterial injury (1). Postoperative complications occurred in 23% at a median 5.5 months following placement. Five prostheses were explanted secondary to infection or erosion and two additional required revisions. Of the explanted prosthesis two were later replaced without further complication. Eighty-one percent of patients were sexually active following prosthesis placement. CONCLUSIONS: Penile prosthesis placement is possible in patients with prior penile reconstruction/phallic construction. Although complications rates appear to be elevated in this population compared with historic controls of normal anatomic men, the majority of patients in this series were sexually active following prosthesis placement. This demonstrates the utility of prosthesis implantation in these difficult patients.

Manejo terapéutico del linfedema de pene subagudo y secundario a erisipela mediante colgajos cutáneos / Therapeutic approach of subacute penile lymphoedema secondary to erysipela by means of cutaneous flaps

Presentamos la revisión clínica de un paciente de 38 años remitido a nuestro centro por linfedema de pene secundario a infección por Streptococcus pyogenes (erisipela) de 6 meses de evolución que como secuela presenta edema de consistencia gomosa sin lesiones dérmicas asociadas limitado al pene que imposibilita las relaciones sexuales y dificulta el vaciado vesical. La linfogammagrafía no evidenció acúmulo del radiofármaco a nivel genital mientras que la RMN mostró marcado engrosamiento cutáneo y subcutáneo alrededor de cuerpos cavernosos y glande con predominio del tejido fibroso. Se realizó resección quirúrgica del tejido fibroso cubriendo el defecto con colgajos laterales de piel peneana. El estudio anatomopatológico con utilización de marcadores específicos CD-31 y D2-40 confirmó la presencia de linfáticos infiltrados. El postoperatorio cursó sin complicaciones, mostrando aspecto cosmético satisfactorio sin presencia del edema ni síntomas urinarios y recuperando la función sexual a los 6 meses (AU)

Clinical review of a 38 years old patient referred to our hospital with penile lymphoedema secondary to a Streptococcus pyogenes (erysipela) infection 6 month ago. Physical exam revealed an uncircumcised penis with a soft consistency edema and no skin lesions. The patient was unable to maintain intercourse and had urine dripping caused by obliteration of the foreskin. Lymphogammagraphy revealed the absence of drug accumulation at genital area. MRI showed skin strengthening around the cavernous corpora and glans with fibrous tissue predominance. We performed a surgical resection of the fibrous tissue with lateral penis cutaneous flaps. There were no complications during the intervention and the post-operative period. The pathology report revealed the presence of lymphatic vessels with specific coloring DC-31 and D2-40. Six months after the intervention we observed an absence of edema with satisfactory cosmetic appearance, without urinary symptoms, and patient was able to maintain erections and perform intercourse (AU)

Usefulness of Endovascular Therapy for Penile Gangrene Secondary to Calciphylaxis: A Case Report.

We here report a case of successful endovascular therapy for penile gangrene in a patient with calciphylaxis and a long history of diabetes mellitus and end-stage renal disease on dialysis. The internal iliac artery, with 75% stenosis, was treated with balloon-expandable bare metal stent implantation, whereas the inferior gluteal artery, 75% stenosis, was treated with balloon dilatation. After endovascular therapy, the intractable penile pain immediately resolved, and penile salvage with complete wound healing was achieved 6 months after the procedure.

[A case of strangulation of the penis with difficult release].

We report a case of penile strangulation by a metal ring. An 81-year-old man visited our hospital with a complaint of penile swelling and urinary retention caused by a ring placed around the penile root to control the patient's sexual desire; the ring had been placed some days prior to presentation. We could not release the penile strangulation by hand or with a ring cutter in the emergency room. We decided to cut the thick metal ring in the operating room under local anesthesia and sedation with a surgical tool used in the orthopedic department. It took approximately 2 hours to cut the ring. The patient had made a satisfactory recovery 7 days postoperatively, and no complications were observed during the postoperative period.

Restoring penis sensation in patients with low spinal cord lesions: the role of the remaining function of the dorsal nerve in a unilateral or bilateral TOMAX procedure.

AIMS: The recently developed TOMAX-procedure restores unilateral genital sensation, improving sexual health in men with a low spinal lesion (LSL). It connects one dorsal nerve of the penis (DNP) to the intact ipsilateral ilioinguinal nerve. We proposed bilateral neurotization for full sensation of the glans but this entails cutting both DNPs, risking patients' erection/ejaculation ability. The objective was to select patients for a bilateral TOMAX-procedure by measuring remaining DNP function, and perform the first bilateral cases. METHODS: In 30 LSL patients with no penile- but normal groin sensation selected for a unilateral TOMAX-procedure the integrity of the sacral-reflex-arc and DNP function was tested pre-operatively using bilateral needle electromyography (EMG)-bulbocavernosus reflex (BCR) measurements, and an interview about reflex erections (RE) ability. RESULTS: In 13 spina bifida- and 17 spinal cord injury patients [median age 29.5 years (range 13-59 years), spinal lesion T12 (incomplete) to sacral], seven (23%) patients reported RE, four (57%) with intact BCR, and of nine (30%) patients with intact BCR, four reported RE (44%). CONCLUSIONS: Even patients with a LSL and no penile sensation can have signs of remaining DNP function, but cutting both DNPs to restore full glans sensation in a bilateral TOMAX-procedure might interfere with their RE/ejaculation. To avoid this risk, we propose a selecting-protocol for a unilateral- or bilateral procedure using RE and BCR measurements. Using this protocol, three patients were bilaterally operated with promising preliminary results. Full sensation of the glans could lead to further improvement in sexual function.