10 Years' Plaque Incision and Vein Grafting for Peyronie's Disease: Does Time Matter?

Grafts in Peyronie's surgery without the use of prostheses: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ABSTRACT

Peyronie's disease (PD) is characterized by abnormal penile curvature, and various surgical methods have been developed using different graft materials. However, there is currently no universal agreement on which type of graft is the best. The objective of this review was to evaluate the available literature and identify the most effective graft material for penile curvature correction in PD. A literature search was conducted using electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library. The patients, intervention, comparison, and outcome (PICO) approach was used to define the eligibility of studies. Two authors independently selected studies, evaluated them, and extracted data. Random-effect models using the DerSimonian-Laird method were used. Most studies were single-arm studies and had a high risk of bias. Buccal mucosa grafts (BMG) were found to result in the highest penile straightening rates and were associated with the least de novo erectile dysfunction. TachoSil grafts demonstrated a high success rate in straightening despite a higher mean preoperative curvature, while Tutoplast grafts had a higher incidence of postoperative erectile dysfunction. BMG had the highest percentage of postoperative penile straightening. Overall, the TachoSil graft showed the best performance when preoperative curvature is taken into account. Based on the available literature, BMG appear to be the most effective for penile curvature correction in PD, but this is offset by the requirement for low preoperative curvature. The TachoSil graft shows the best overall performance when preoperative curvature is considered. Comparative randomized clinical trials are still needed to determine graft superiority.

Clinical Significance of Shortened Penile Length and Alterations in Penile Length Following Treatment for Peyronie's Disease

INTRODUCTION

Across many cultures, penis size has been associated with virility, and concerns about penile length are commonplace. Peyronie's disease (PD) is a known acquired cause of penile shortening.

OBJECTIVES

This paper describes the psychosocial impacts of penile length on men and their partners, both generally and in men with PD, and evaluates the effect of PD treatments (eg, collagenase clostridium histolyticum , surgery, mechanical therapy) on this outcome measure.

METHODS

A PubMed database search was performed for English language articles through July 2021. Main outcome measures were association of penile length with emotional well-being, selfesteem, and relationship satisfaction in men with PD, and change from baseline penile length after treatment.

RESULTS

Shortened penile length caused by PD can negatively impact patient and partner quality of life, including effects on body image, emotional well-being, sexual function, and interpersonal relationships. In men with PD, studies have demonstrated an association between loss of penile length and emotional problems, reduced satisfaction with sexual performance, poor self-esteem, depression, and relationship difficulties. Loss of penile length can frequently occur after surgery for PD (including plication, plaque incision/excision with grafting, and penile implant). Advanced surgical techniques may preserve/increase penile length, but the increased risks associated with these complex procedures must be carefully considered. Treatment with collagenase clostridium histolyticum does not appear to negatively impact penile length, and 5-year follow-up data suggest potential longterm posttreatment improvements in this outcome measure. Penile traction therapy, either alone or as adjunctive therapy, may increase penile length in men with PD, but nonadherence may limit improvement.

CONCLUSION

Changes in penile length are important to many men, particularly those with PD, and should be considered during PD treatment selection. Penile length should be measured objectively before and after treatment for PD and should be included as an outcome measure in future studies on treatment effectiveness. Goldstein I, Gelbard MK, Lipshultz LI. Clinical Significance of Shortened Penile Length and Alterations in Penile Length Following Treatment for Peyronie's Disease. Sex Med Rev 2022;10:409-420.

ESSM Position Statement on Surgical Treatment of Peyronie's Disease

INTRODUCTION

Patients with Peyronie's disease may experience significat distress. The choice of treatment depends on a variety of factors, including the stage of the disease, the presence of pain, severity and direction of the curvature, penile length and the quality of erectile function.

AIM

To review the evidence associated with surgical treatment of Peyronie`s Disease and provide clinical recommendations on behalf of the European Society for Sexual Medicine. 131 peer-reviewed studies and systematic reviews, which were published from 2009 to 2019 in the English language, were included.

METHODS

MEDLINE, Google Scholar and EMBASE were searched for randomized clinical trials, meta-analyses, open-label prospective and retrospective studies.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

The panel provided statements on clinically relevant questions including patient involvement in the decision process, indications for surgery, choice of the approach, and the management of patient expectations. A comparison of the different grafts used in patients who have undergone plaque incision/excision and grafting in order to identify an ideal graft, has been carried out. The prevalence of postoperative complications has been summarized. Levels of evidence were provided according to the Oxford 2011 criteria and Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine recommendations.

RESULTS

In order to allow shared decision making, a patient preoperative counselling regarding the pros and cons of each intervention is recommended. In particular, adverse effects of surgical treatments should be discussed to set realistic understanding and expectations of surgical outcomes and ultimately improve postoperative satisfaction rates. Surgical treatment should be only offered in the chronic phase of the condition, when the deformity and/or degree of erectile dysfunction, prevent patients from engaging in satisfying sexual interaction, or if the deformity is the cause of severe bother.

CONCLUSIONS

Current European Society for Sexual Medicine recommendations cover several aspects of Peyronie's disease treatment. These recommendations aim both to ensure patients and partners have accurate and realistic expectations of their treatment options, as well as to formulate algorithms to guide clinician management pathways. Osmonov D. et al., ESSM Position Statement on Surgical Treatment of Peyronie's Disease. Sex Med 2022;10:100459.

Penile curvature after Peyronie's disease surgery: What are the risk factors?

Surgery is the golden standard for the treatment of patients with Peyronie's disease in chronic phase (12-18 months). Learning risk factors for post-surgical curvature (>20°) would aid both surgeon and patient in their decision-making process. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for residual/recurrent curvatures. The clinical data of the patients, who underwent reconstructive surgery for PD between 1997 and 2016, were retrospectively reviewed. Follow-ups were performed via physical examination, surveys and phone calls. For shortening surgery (Nesbit/plication), initial bi-planar curvature was proved to be a predictor of post-operative curvature (p = .05). Lateral and ventral curvatures were associated with higher recurrence rates in patients who underwent grafting surgery (p = .01). In terms of baseline comorbidities, only diabetes mellitus had an association with curvature nonrecurrence for both shortening and lengthening surgeries (p < .05). Grafting surgery may be suggested to patients who had bi-planar curvatures instead of Nesbit surgery. Nesbit plication surgery may be preferred for patients with lateral and ventral curvatures instead of grafting surgery. Higher cavernosal blood pressures and more nocturnal erections of nondiabetic young patients might impede plication sutures and grafts and therefore increase penile curvature recurrence.

A decade of grafting techniques as a sole treatment for Peyronie's disease

BACKGROUND

Peyronie's disease (PD) can be a cosmetically and functionally devastating condition. Surgical approaches have been proposed in the chronic stages of PD as plication or plaque incision/excision with grafting to preserve penile size in complex cases. Although several surgeons nowadays are inclined toward the utilization of non-autologous grafts owing to the ease of their preparation and availability, synthetic graft procedures still await more technical improvements and supporting evidence before their consideration for standard care.

OBJECTIVES

In this review, our goal is to facilitate an insight into the most promising grafting materials used for the management of PD and techniques associated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A PubMed review was conducted for all the studies on our topic within the past ten years (January 2009 until December 2019). The outcome parameters we documented and compared comprised of operative time, follow-up time, postoperative penile cosmesis and function, and, finally, overall patient satisfaction related to each technique.

RESULTS

Our search yielded 23 English-written original study articles in addition to a single case report on the various grafting techniques utilized as the sole treatment for PD, each demonstrating different outcomes and points of comparison.

CONCLUSION

A successful grafting procedure for PD requires an appropriately tailored surgical modality and an experienced surgeon. Nevertheless, proper preoperative patient counseling on all aspects of his condition and opted treatment modality while setting clear and realistic expectations remains key for overall patient satisfaction.

Recent advances in managing Peyronie's disease

Treating men with Peyronie's disease remains a challenging problem facing clinicians working across urology and sexual medicine fields. Patients can often be left disappointed by current treatment paradigms, and an overall lack of suitable molecular targets has limited the options for novel, effective medical therapy. Managing men with Peyronie's disease often involves careful counselling alongside multifaceted and possible combination treatments to help improve symptoms whilst ameliorating potential side effects of therapy. We review the latest medical literature and evidence in the contemporary management of Peyronie's disease.

Strategies and current practices for penile lengthening in severe Peyronie's disease cases: a systematic review

Several strategies to optimize penile length in the presence of Peyronie's Disease (PD) have been described so far. In case of severe curvature and preserved erectile function, plaque incision/excision (PIG/PEG) are advisable in order to maximize penile length, despite the risk of postoperative erectile dysfunction (ED), recurrent curvature, or penile shortening. For men with PD deformities associated to a certain degree of ED several lengthening techniques associated to penile prosthesis (PPI) implantation can be considered. Because of the potential postoperative complications, the indication must be balanced between patient's risk factors and surgeon's experience. Furthermore, adjuvant surgeries, such as prepubic V-Y plasty, suspensory ligament release, suprapubic lipectomy, and ventral phalloplasty, can be performed simultaneously or in a staged fashion to maximize the outcomes. Restoration a decent penile length in the case of a severe PD represents a real challenge for reconstructive surgeons. We present a systematic review of the literature on the current practices for penile lengthening in severe PD, providing the reader with a practical overview on the existing surgical strategies and their surgical and functional outcomes.

Twenty Years of Plaque Incision and Grafting for Peyronie's Disease: A Review of Literature

Introduction

Plaque incision and grafting (PIG) is indicated for men with complex or severe penile curvature and, despite a multitude of incision types and grafting materials having been used, no individual technique has proven superiority.

Aim

To assess outcomes following PIG and to understand the operative technique.

Methods

A systematic review was performed to find all relevant studies reporting on use of the PIG technique to correct curvature resulting from Peyronie’s disease. Studies were included if they had >40 participants, were written in the English language, and no penile prosthesis was implanted.

Main Outcome Measures

Primary outcome measures included deformity correction, erectile dysfunction, and degree of penile lengthening/shortening. Secondary outcome measures included satisfaction, reoperation rate, and complications.

Results

Twelve studies were included in the quantitative synthesis, which overall report on the results of 1,025 patients. Careful patient selection was critical, with erectile function requiring assessment with the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), subjective patient reports, and consideration of whether erections are pharmacologically aided. There was no evidence of superiority in favor of any particular incision type or grafting material, and absorbable sutures were clearly favored. Postoperatively, 4.6%–67.4% required pharmacologically aided erections and 0–11.8% were completely unable to achieve erections. Successful straightening occurred in 80.0%–96.4%, although there was no consistent definition of success. Penile length was unchanged in 44.2%–95.0%; 88.0%–92.0% of the patients were satisfied, and .7%–4.7% required reoperation. Altered sensation occurred in 2.0%–22.5% of patients, of which 80.0%–100.0% was only a transient loss. All outcomes were heterogeneously reported. There are no clear predictive factors for erectile dysfunction following PIG surgery. No single incision type or grafting material has proven superiority.

Conclusion

PIG is an effective and safe technique for correction of complex or severe penile curvature in terms of satisfaction, length change, straightening, and complications.

Rice PG, Somani BK, Rees RW. Twenty Years of Plaque Incision and Grafting for Peyronie’s Disease: A Review of Literature. Sex Med 2019;7:115–128.

Penile Sensory Changes After Plaque Incision and Grafting Surgery for Peyronie's Disease

INTRODUCTION

Plaque incision and grafting (PIG) for Peyronie's disease (PD) is not devoid of complications such as erectile dysfunction and penile sensory changes.

AIM

To define the rate and chronology of penile sensation loss after PIG surgery and to define predictors of such.

METHODS

The study population consisted of patients with PD-associated penile curvature who underwent PIG surgery with at least 6 months of follow-up. Demographics and PD factors were recorded. Patient had preoperative assessment of penile sensation and deformity. Postoperative follow-up occurred at 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year after surgery. Neurovascular bundle elevation was conducted with loupe magnification.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Penile sensation was evaluated with a biothesiometer and graded on a patient-reported visual analog scale (0-10) in which 0 defined a completely numb area and 10 defined perfect sensation. The degree of sensation loss was defined as extensive (any 1 area >5 cm), major (2-5 cm), and minor (≤2 cm). The penile sensation loss distribution was defined as focal (1 site) or diffuse (>1 site).

RESULTS

63 patients were analyzed. Mean age was 56 ± 10 years. Mean duration of PD at the time of PIG was 15 ± 7 (12-38) months. 75% had curvature alone, and 25% had hourglass/indentation deformities. Mean primary curvature was 64˚ ± 28˚. The mean operation duration was 3.5 ± 1.8 hours. 21% had some degree of sensation loss at 1 week, 21% at 1 month, 8% at 6 months, and 3% at 12 months. Only 1 patient (1.5%) at 2 years continued to have extensive sensation loss on the glans and distal shaft with a very elevated sensitivity threshold. Using multivariable analysis, the only predictor of penile sensation loss ≥6 months was a duration of operation >4 hours (odds ratio = 2.1; 95% confidence interval = 1.2-3.0; P < .01).

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

The study highlights the need during patient consent to discuss penile sensation loss. Patients should be informed that rates of penile sensation loss ranges from 2-30% and most patients will have complete resolution of any sensation loss within one year of follow-up.

STRENGTH AND LIMITATIONS

To our knowledge no other studies have described the chronology and severity of penile sensation following PIG, our study demonstrates the utility of biothesiometry in measuring penile sensation before and after PIG. Number of patients and absence of control group represent a limitation.

CONCLUSION

Sensation loss is not uncommon after PIG surgery. It decreases in frequency and severity with time with only rare cases occurring >12 months. Longer operations appeared to be more likely associated with sensation loss. Terrier JE, Tal R, Nelson CJ. Penile sensory changes after plaque incision and grafting surgery for Peyronie's disease. J Sex Med 2018;15:1491-1497.

Contemporary surgical and non-surgical management of Peyronie's disease

Numerous treatments have been proposed for Peyronie's disease (PD). As the evidence base has expanded, the field of operative and non-operative options for patients has narrowed. Collagenase clostridium hystolyticum (CCH) injection now comprises the medical option, and surgical possibilities entail penile plication, plaque incision/excision and grafting, and prosthesis implantation. Still, questions abound regarding the optimal approach and indication for each of these treatments. We conducted a review of literature exploring the contemporary management of PD with a particular focus on work since the last American Urologic Association's (AUA) guidelines update for PD. Recent results and discussion indicate trends toward minimal invasiveness, toward a more holistic approach to the PD patient, and away from algorithmic management, galvanized, in part, by data challenging long-held beliefs.

Penile Reconstructive Surgery in Peyronie Disease: Challenges in Restoring Normal Penis Size, Shape, and Function

To provide an overview of current approaches to penile reconstructive surgery in Peyronie disease (PD), and to discuss the challenges in restoring normal penile size and function. A systematic literature search was conducted to identify the published literature relevant to PD and penile reconstructive surgery. A summary of the published guidelines from major organisations is included in this review paper. Penile plication is simple and minimally invasive, and tends to preserve potency in most patients. However, plication invariably results in penile length loss and may, in fact, worsen the existing hour-glass or hinge effect. In contrast, graft reconstructive surgery can address issues relating to the loss of penile length and complex penile deformities, but long-term data highlight the risks of altered glans sensation, recurrent curvature, and/or loss of penile length from graft contracture, as well as the development of erectile dysfunction. Complex penile reconstruction with the concurrent placement of a penile prosthesis and/or graft material is a demanding operation that should be performed by surgeons with extensive prosthetic and reconstructive experience, as the risk of sensory loss, glans ischemia/necrosis, prosthesis-related complications, and failure to gain any meaningful length are serious concerns and cannot be underestimated. While surgical approaches remain the standard of care, they pose considerable risks and require prolonged postoperative rehabilitation. Obtaining proper informed consent and establishing realistic outcome expectations are imperative for successful postoperative outcomes.

2018 Canadian Urological Association guideline for Peyronie's disease and congenital penile curvature

Peyronie’s disease (PD) is a highly prevalent condition that affects the physical and psychosocial well-being and quality of life (QoL) for thousands of Canadian men. The specific etiology of PD remains poorly understood and there remains a paucity of randomized placebo-controlled trials evaluating treatment interventions.1-3 PD can be found in up to 8.9% of men, a remarkable increase in cited prevalence that is attributable to growing awareness (as historical data suggested a rate of less than 1%); the burden of disease is significant, and PD is often present in otherwise healthy men. The following guidelines were crafted by the committee with a full awareness of the limitations of the literature, and sought to provide actionable recommendations to guide PD care in the Canadian health system.

Peyronie's disease surgery: Surgical outcomes of 268 cases

Objective

To assess the outcomes of the surgical techniques used in Peyronie's disease (PD) surgery.

Material and methods

Two hundred and sixty-eight patients received surgical treatment for PD. Fifty four and 144 patients underwent simple corporoplasties (shortening procedure, SP, group 1) or plaque incision and grafting surgery (lengthening surgery, LP, group 2), respectively, whereas 70 patients with erectile dysfunction underwent penile prosthesis implantation.

Results

Penile plication and Nesbit surgeries were performed in 5 (9%) and 42 (78%) patients out of total 54 patients. In the remaining 7 (13%) patients, Nesbit and plication suture combination was required for complete penile straightening. Mean curvature degree was 52.2±12.3 degrees. Follow up time was 36.1±29.4 months. No significant difference was demonstrated between the two groups in the baseline features and co-morbidities except age. In 144 patients who underwent plaque incision and grafting, mean age and PD onset duration were 54.1±9.2 years and 28.2±17.3 months respectively. Mean curvature degree was 58.4±18.9 degrees. Post-operative follow up time of the second group was 51.1±39.6 months. Additional plication suture was used in 48 patients (33%) patients. Degree of curvature improvement was 37.9±19.1 and 52.1±23.5 in SP and LP respectively (p=0.01). The initial anatomic success rates were 90.4% and 87.5% at their early post-operative follow-ups for group 1 and 2 respectively. These rates dropped to 82.7% and 83.6% at the long term follow-up (36 and 51 months) respectively (p=0.9). Although the average follow-up time of LP group was longer than SP group (52.1 mo vs. 37.0 mo), recurrence rates of these two groups were comparable. The combined functional and anatomical success of patients were demonstrated to be 79% and 75% in shortening and grafting surgery. Shortening surgery was not statistically superior to grafting surgery for patients in terms of having erection with or without the aid of PDE-5 inhibitors (94.4% vs. 88.2%, p=0.28). Shortening surgery makes a difference in the long term follow-up for patients who had erections without the aid of PDE-5 inhibitors (90.7% vs. 67.3%, p=0.02).

Conclusion

Both SP and LP are successful in terms of penile straightening in the short and long-term follow-up. Curvature degree improvement is greater in LP. Patients who undergo LP surgery may suffer from ED in the long-term follow-ups. Greater percentage of patients who underwent LP require PDE-5 inhibitors usage for sexual intercourse. Despite stated shortcomings, combined success (anatomic and functional) is achieved in three out of four patients for both groups. Penile prosthesis implantation should be preferred for patients with ED and penile deformity.

Lengthening strategies for Peyronie's disease

Loss of penile length is a common complaint of men with Peyronie's disease (PD), both before and after corrective intervention, which has a significant negative effect on patient quality of life. We sought to identify and describe the methods by which penile length can be preserved or increased. We conducted an extensive, systematic literature review, based on a search of the PUBMED database for articles published between 1990 and 2015. Articles with the key words "Peyronie's disease", "penile length" and/or "penile lengthening" were reviewed if they contained subjective or objective penile length outcomes. Only English-language articles that were related to PD and penile size were included. We found no evidence in the literature that medical therapy alone increases penile length. Classic inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) placement, plication procedures, and the Nesbit procedure appear likely to maintain or decrease penile length. Plaque incision (PI) and grafting appears likely to maintain or increase penile length, but is complicated by risk of post-operative erectile dysfunction (ED). There are several surgical procedures performed concomitantly with IPP placement that may be suitable treatment options for men with comorbid ED, and consistently increase penile length with otherwise good outcomes concerning sexual function. These include the subcoronal penile prosthesis (scIPP), Egydio circumferential technique, the sliding technique, the modified sliding technique (MoST), and the multiple slice technique (MuST). In addition, adjuvant therapies such as penile traction therapy (PTT), post-operative inflation protocols, suspensory ligament relaxation, lipectomy, and adjuvant medical therapy for glans engorgement appear to increase subjective and/or objective penile length for men at high risk of decreased penile length after PD surgery. Considering the psychological burden of length loss in men with PD, providers with adequate volume and expertise should attempt, if possible, to maintain or increase penile length for men undergoing surgical intervention. There are several evidence-based, safe, and effective ways to increase penile length for these men and multiple emerging adjuvant therapies that may help ensure adequate length.