Shaeer's Anti-Scarring Technique: A Preventive Measure Against Corporal Fibrosis Upon Explantation of Infected Penile Implants

50 years of inflatable penile implants: Where do we stand in France?

INTRODUCTION

With 50 years' experience, inflatable penile implants are the preferred option for erectile dysfunction refractory to pharmacological and mechanical treatment. Technical and surgical improvements have optimized patient success and satisfaction. However, multi-factorial dissatisfaction persists.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to provide an overview of available technological improvements and innovations, as well as the perioperative management and complications of inflatable penile implant surgery.

METHOD

A literature review was carried out over the last twenty years to answer 4 questions: what are the different inflatable penile implants available in 2023, for which indications, results and complications.

RESULTS

Four companies propose inflatable penile implants in France. The main improvements have been in the various components of the prosthesis with better cylinder extension, more ergonomic reservoirs, and more manageable pumps, leading to a better durability. Indications have been extended to patients suffering from Peyronie's disease and in emergency cases of priapism. In response to demand from the transgender population, specific phalloplasty implants have been developed. New options are being developed for difficult cases of retracted penis. Results show a high satisfaction rate. Currently the main challenge is the management of infection with the development of rescue protocols using antibiotics to preserve implants - or replace them in a single operation.

CONCLUSION

After 50years' experience, improvements in penile implants led to effective, satisfactory and safe treatment and can be proposed in new indications. Further development is sill necessary to offer solutions in difficult cases.

Penile fibrosis-still scarring urologists today: a narrative review

Background and Objective

Implantation of penile prosthesis (PP) into scarred and fibrotic corpora can be a difficult challenge. In this review article, we provide a review of penile fibrosis, discuss current medical and surgical management and summarize preventative strategies.

Methods

In this study, we searched PubMed between the years 2000-2023 for publications with search strategy: "penile fibrosis" OR "scarred corpora" OR "fibrosed corpora".

Key Content and Findings

This search returned a total of 137 articles. We examine the evidence for preoperative patient evaluation and penile ultrasound (US), oral phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, pentoxifylline, and L-arginine, vacuum device therapy and the use of surgical approaches and tools in the context of complex penile fibrosis cases. Severe penile fibrosis is most associated with priapism and infection. Estimating the degree of fibrosis via preoperative US may help set realistic patient expectations. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors and L-arginine reduce fibrosis in animal models however their impact in humans remains unclear despite theoretical advantage for their use. Vacuum device therapy may preserve penile length following priapism and infected PP cases. The use of Coloplast Narrow-Based or AMS-700 CXR implants are used primarily for severe fibrosis. Various surgical excisional/incisional techniques, the Carrion-Rossello, Mooreville Uramix cavernotomes and reverse cutting scissors are all options, and their use varies from case to case. Finally, prevention of penile fibrosis in patients with history of penile implant infection and the safety of early implantation of a penile implant in patients with refractory priapism is encouraged.

Conclusions

The management of penile fibrosis remains a challenge but there are multiple options to assist clinicians. Complex cases should be managed and studied at high volume centers.

Shaeer's Cavernotome for Penile Prosthesis Implantation in Scarred Corpora Cavernosa

OBJECTIVE

Penile prosthesis implantation in scarred corporal bodies is one of the most challenging urologic procedures, with high risks of perforation and/or failure. We present Shaeer's Cavernotome (patent application number PCT/EG2021/050003). This is the forward-cutting cavernotome that relies on the principle of controlled coring and grinding rather than forward stabbing, with fibrous tissue accommodated into the hollow core, thereby ensuring high efficacy and low risk of perforation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a prospective study involving 18 patients with severe corporal scarring. Surgery is performed through a peno-scrotal incision with an indwelling urethral catheter. Corporotomies are incised and a 2-cm-long core of fibrous tissue is excised with a scalpel. Shaeer's Cavernotome is introduced and lodged against the fibrous tissue. Coring proceeds with the stretched corpus or crus held between the thumb and index fingers of the non-dominant hand as a guide, ahead of the tip. Shaeer's cavernotome doubles as a sizer. Following coring, penile prosthesis implantation proceeds.

RESULTS

Dilation of the corpora cavernosa was successful in 17 out of 18 patients. Average coring time was 8 ± 3.2 minutes. Dilation was up to girth 13 Hegar in 12 patients, and 11 in 5. No perforations or infections were encountered.

CONCLUSION

Shaeer's cavernotome facilitates penile prosthesis implantation in scarred corporal bodies. Full excavation of both corpora cavernosa is achievable in less than 10 minutes, with a low risk for perforation.

Shaeer's Punch Technique: Transcorporeal Peyronie's Plaque Surgery and Penile Prosthesis Implantation

BACKGROUND

Penile prosthesis implantation in cases of severe Peyronie's disease may require plaque excision/incision and grafting, which may require mobilization of the neurovascular bundle or urethra, posing the risks of penile hyposensitivity or urethral injury, and is time-consuming, possibly increasing infection risk.

AIM

Evaluating transcorporeal debulking of Peyronie's plaques by "Shaeer's punch technique."

METHODS

Penile prosthesis implantation and punch technique (PPI-Punch) was performed for 26 patients. After corporotomy and dilatation, Peyronie's plaques were punched out from within the corpora cavernosa using the punch forceps, and then a penile prosthesis was implanted. Comparison to a matching retrospective group of 18 patients operated upon by plaque excision-grafting and penile prosthesis implantation was performed.

OUTCOMES

The study outcomes were straightness of the erect penis, complication, satisfaction with length on a 5-point scale, the International Index of Erectile Function-5, and the Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction questionnaire.

RESULTS

Average preoperative curvature angle was 58.1 ± 11.7 in the Punch group and 58 ± 14.8 in the excision-grafting group, p=0.99. After surgery, all patients had a straight penis. No tunical perforations, urethral injuries, or extrusions were noted. Average additional operative time for Punch technique ranged from 5 to 10 minutes (7.3 ± 1.7), in contrast to the excision-grafting group where plaque surgery duration was 50.8 minutes ± 11.1, an 85% difference, p < 0.0001. Septal plaques in the latter group could not be removed. In the PPI-Punch group, penile sensitivity was preserved in all patients, compared with the excision/grafting group, with 7 of 18 patients reporting hyposthesia of the glans. Infection occurred in 1 of 26 patients in the PPI-Punch group, compared with 2 of 18 patients in the excision/grafting group. Satisfaction with length on a 5-point scale was 3.8 ± 0.9 in the punch group, versus 3.1 ± 1.1 in the excision-grafting group, p=0.009.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

The proposed technique is minimally invasive and prompt, possibly decreasing the known complications of plaque surgery and PPI including sensory loss.

STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS

One limitation is the inability to accurately measure preoperative erect length in patients with erectile dysfunction with poor response to intracavernous injections.

CONCLUSION

Shaeer's punch technique is a minimally invasive procedure for transcorporeal excavation of Peyronie's plaques before penile prosthesis implantation, omitting the need for mobilization of the neurovascular bundle or spongiosum, and hence, there is low or no risk for nerve or urethral injury and brief plaque surgery time. Shaeer O, Soliman Abdelrahman IF, Mansour M, et al. Shaeer's Punch Technique: Transcorporeal Peyronie's Plaque Surgery and Penile Prosthesis Implantation. J Sex Med 2020;17:1395-1399.