Penile Implant Surgery Satisfaction Assessment

Long-term penile prosthesis couple's satisfaction: A systematic review and meta-analysis

CONTEXT

Data supporting successful and satisfactory penile prosthesis (PP) implantation outcomes are mainly based on subjective, rather than objective, analysis.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review and objectively analyze, all available data related to patient and partner PP satisfaction.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

An extensive search was performed, including the following key-words: ("penile prosthesis" and "satisfaction"). The search, which accrued data from January 1, 1969, up to July 31, 2023, was restricted to English-language articles including human participants.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Out of 663 retrieved articles, 83 were considered including, 12,132 subjects with a mean age and mean follow-up of 58.6 [range 20; 77.1] years and 47.6 [range 6; 374] months, respectively. Overall, a high patient satisfaction rate was observed 83[80; 86]%. The satisfaction rate increased in subjects with three-piece PP and in those with a higher rate of cardiovascular or neurological diseases and was independent of the patient's age. Partner's satisfaction rate was lower when compared to that observed in men and it increased according to the use of inflatable devices and the presence of patient Peyronie's disease. The long-term complication rate was limited ranging from 3% for erosion to 4.6% when mechanical failure was considered.

CONCLUSIONS

Patient and partner satisfaction is excellent and increases with time. The number of complications is limited and is strongly associated with the presence of diabetes mellitus.

PATIENT SUMMARY

We found a high couple satisfaction score that was higher when reported by males compared to females. Patient satisfaction increased with time, and it was independent of age.

Current devices, outcomes, and pain management considerations in penile implant surgery: an updated review of the literature

Penile prosthesis surgery is a definitive treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED). The two categories of penile prosthesis are endorsed by professional guidelines, inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) and malleable penile prosthesis (MPP). Each modality of penile prosthesis offers distinct advantages and incorporates specific design features, allowing for personalized device selection that aligns with individual needs and preferences. While the overall complication rate of penile implant surgery remains low, surgeons should maintain a high index of suspicion for complications in the perioperative time period. Multimodal analgesic regimens including nerve blocks and narcotic-free pathways should be administered to manage perioperative pain. Finally, the high patient satisfaction after penile prosthesis surgery underscores the success of this ED treatment option.

Patient out-of-pocket costs for guideline-recommended treatments for erectile dysfunction: a medicare cost modeling analysis

Patient out-of-pocket (OOP) cost represents an access barrier to erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment. We determined OOP cost for men with ED covered by Fee-for-Service Medicare. Coverage policies were obtained from the Medicare Coverage Database for treatments recommended by the 2018 American Urological Association (AUA) guidelines. OOP cost was retrieved from the 2023 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Final Rule. OOP cost for treatments without Medicare coverage were extracted from GoodRx® or literature and inflated to 2022 dollars. Annual prescription costs were calculated using the published estimate of 52.2 yearly instances of sexual intercourse. Medicare has coverage for inflatable penile prostheses (IPP; strong recommendation), non-coverage for vacuum erection devices (VED; moderate recommendation) and phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors (PDE5i; strong recommendation), and no policies for intracavernosal injections (ICI; moderate recommendation), intraurethral alprostadil (IA; conditional recommendation), or low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT; conditional recommendation). Annual IA prescription is most costly ($4022), followed by ICI prescription ($3947), one ESWT course ($3445), IPP ($1600), PDE5i prescription ($696), and one VED ($213). PDE5i and IPP, both strongly recommended by AUA guidelines, are associated with lower OOP cost. Better understanding of patient financial burden may inform healthcare decision-making.

Quality of life and sexuality with penile prosthesis: a systematic review and pooled analysis

INTRODUCTION

Quality of Life and Sexuality with Penile Prosthesis (QoLSPP) is the first validated questionnaire to specifically evaluate the satisfaction of patients undergoing penile prosthesis implantation. Our primary aim was to conduct a systematic review and pooled analysis of articles reporting QoLSPP.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A comprehensive bibliographic search on the MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases was performed in April 2023. Studies were selected if they assessed male subjects (P) undergoing penile prosthesis implantation (I) with or without comparison with other treatments (C), reporting the patient satisfaction according to QoLSPP (O). Prospective and retrospective original studies were included (S). The risk of bias was assessed using the ROBINS-I tool and the Knoll method. Means and standard deviations (SDs) of QoLSPP scores were included in the pooled analysis. PROSPERO ID: "CRD42023427261."

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

A total of 10 studies investigating 1105 patients were included in the systematic review; of these, eight articles describing the outcomes of 693 subjects were eligible for the pooled analysis. Overall serious risk of bias was found in 2/3 of nonrandomized comparative studies (66%), while seven single-arm studies (100%) were classified as having a high risk of bias. Pooled analysis of the QoLSPP-Functional domain revealed an overall effect size (ES) of 4.22 points (95% CI 4.04-4.40; P<0.001). The QoLSPP-Relational pooled score was 4.17 points (95% CI 4.03-4.31; P<0.001). The QoLSPP-Social pooled score corresponded to 4.21 points (95% CI 4.02-4.40; P<0.001). Pooled analysis of the QoLSPP-Personal domain showed an overall ES of 3.97 points (95% CI 3.61-4.32; P<0.001). There was insufficient data to pool QoLSPP total scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients undergoing penile prosthesis implantation report positive scores in all QoLSPP domains, demonstrating high satisfaction levels. Future studies are needed to improve the evidence on the topic.

Treatment preferences of patients with erectile dysfunction: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

INTRODUCTION

Patients' treatment preferences (PTP) depend on the complex interaction of numerous patient- and treatment-related factors; their assessment can guide therapy and promote compliance of patients with erectile dysfunction (ED). We aimed to systematically describe the literature evaluating the treatment preferences of patients with ED, published in the last 25 years.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A comprehensive bibliographic search of multiple databases was conducted in June, 2023. The literature search was limited to the articles published since 1998. Articles were deemed eligible if they described male patients with ED (P) undergoing treatment for this condition (I) compared with other treatments, placebo or sham therapy (C), and reported PTP (O). Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and post-hoc analyses of RCTs were selected (S). The data were presented in a narrative fashion. The risk of bias (RoB) was evaluated using the RoB 2 tool and the Mulhall-Montorsi model.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

A total 14 RCTs evaluating 6,841 patients and 4 post-hoc analyses of RCTs were included. All RCTs were considered to be at high RoB. No validated tool was used to investigate PTP. Sildenafil was the most frequently evaluated ED treatment (9 RCTs). Sildenafil was chosen over placebo by 78-100% of subjects and over ICI in 70% of patients due to its easier route of administration. No significant difference in patient preference was recorded between Sildenafil tablets and orodispersible (53% vs. 47%, P>0.05). Tadalafil was preferred over Sildenafil by 66-73% of patients (P<0.05), mainly because it allowed an erection long after taking the drug (55-67%). Tadalafil as-needed was chosen over Tadalafil 3 times/week by 57-59% of the patients (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The available RCTs support the preference of ED patients for Sildenafil over ICI, Tadalafil over Sildenafil, and Tadalafil as-needed over Tadalafil 3 times/week. However, these findings should be considered at high RoB.

Evaluation of patient satisfaction using the validated French version of the SSIPI questionnaire after inflatable penile implantation

BACKGROUND

Penile prothesis (PP) is a recommended treatment for erectile dysfunction that is refractory to less invasive treatments, but there are few validated tools to assess patient satisfaction.

AIM

The aim of this study was to assess patient satisfaction after PP implantation using the French Satisfaction Survey for Inflatable Penile Implant (SSIPI) questionnaire.

METHODS

Demographic, clinical, and perioperative data were collected from all consecutive patients who underwent PP implantation in our center between 2016 and 2021. The French SSIPI questionnaire was completed during a telephone call with each patient by an independent investigator.

OUTCOMES

A good functional result was considered when the total SSIPI score was >48, corresponding to a score of >3 for each item.

RESULTS

The median global SSIPI score for the cohort was 66 (interquartile range [IQR], 60-73), and 53 (89.8%) patients were satisfied. The appearance of the penis with the PP was the item that had the lowest score for satisfaction (median score 23 [IQR, 19-26]), while the patients reported almost no pain (median score 10 [IQR, 9-10]). When patients with a total score of ≤64 were compared with those with a score of >64, PP size was significantly greater in the group with better functional results (P = .03).

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Assessment of patient satisfaction with a PP is important because this is the main criterion used to judge the success of surgery.

STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS

To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate the satisfaction of patients with a PP using the French-validated version of SSIPI questionnaire. However, patients came from a single center and the population size was small.

CONCLUSION

Almost 90% of patients with a PP were satisfied with the device when satisfaction was assessed using the SSIPI questionnaire.

News and future perspectives of non-surgical treatments for erectile dysfunction

The significant discontinuation rate of available therapies and the paucity of curative options promoted the research on potential novel treatments suitable for erectile dysfunction patients. The aim of this study was to provide a summary of available evidence regarding the news and future perspectives related to the non-surgical treatment of erectile dysfunction. A narrative review of the literature was performed. A comprehensive search in the MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus databases was done. Papers in English-language, published until April 2022, were included. No chronological restriction was applied. Retrospective and prospective clinical studies, as well as meta-analyses, were considered. Oro-dispersible formulations of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors are particularly indicated in patients who have difficulty in swallowing solid dosage form; in addition, they constitute a discrete route of administration not requiring water. Low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy is indicated in mild vasculogenic erectile dysfunction and in patients with vasculogenic erectile dysfunction poorly responsive to phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors. Stem cell therapy, platelet-rich plasma injections, and gene therapy seem promising regenerative treatments for selected patients with erectile dysfunction. Novel oral formulations of drugs commonly used in erectile dysfunction patients have recently become part of standard clinical practice. Regenerative treatments have been emerging in recent years and could become routine curative options in the near future. Further well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed to provide conclusive evidence on this topic and guide appropriate recommendations.

New findings regarding the influence of assistants on surgical outcomes in penile prosthesis implantation

Penile prosthesis implantation is the definitive treatment for refractory erectile dysfunction, yet exposure to this procedure during training of urology residents is often limited. To assess the effects of resident participation in penile prosthesis surgery, we compared surgical outcomes in a retrospective case series of 253 penile prosthesis surgeries by a single surgeon at the same institution between 2017 and 2020 with the assistance of either a registered nurse first assistant (RNFA) or a resident. Pertinent patient characteristics and surgical complications including device complications, surgical site infection, postoperative bleeding, iatrogenic injury, cardiovascular events, pulmonary events, and urinary retention were documented. Measured outcomes included operative time, Emergency Room (ER) visits, unplanned postoperative visits, pain medication refills, and surgical complications. Compared to RFNAs, resident-assisted penile prosthesis surgery was associated with significant increase in mean operative time (71.4 min vs. 87.9 min, p < 0.01) and postoperative ER visits (3.0% vs. 10.6%, p = 0.03) but not surgical complications (19.7% vs. 20.8%, OR 1.03, 95% CI [0.46 -2.30]) or other measured outcomes. Compared to a dedicated RFNA, Resident assistance increased operative time by approximately 17 min, but did not increase post-operative surgical complications, supporting the notion that resident assistance in these procedures may be appropriate as an integral part of training.

History of penile implants: from implants made of bone to modern inflatable penile implants

Penile prostheses are implantable devices used to definitively treat erectile dysfunction when previous forms of treatment have failed. The first example of a penile implant dates to 1935, when a rib was inserted in a neo-phallus reconstructed after a traumatic amputation. Since then, alternative artificial devices were adopted as penile prosthetic implants. The evolution of prosthetic devices had a dramatic thrust in 1973 when the first inflatable penile prosthesis was worldwide presented. Thanks to advances in device materials, design, surgical implant techniques, and perioperative management, nowadays inflatable penile prostheses are one of the most adopted definitive therapy for patients with drug-refractory erectile dysfunction or refusing alternative forms of treatments. Moreover, the clinical indications for inflatable penile prosthesis have also expanded, including female-to-male transmen or men underwent penile reconstruction due to congenital aphallia or traumatic or surgical penile amputation. In order to summarise the process behind the development and evolution of penile prosthesis, we aimed at performing a historical review of the currently available literature to provide an easy and comprehensive overview of the topic. The understanding of the historical process behind the evolution of inflatable penile prostheses will drive further innovation to increase efficiency and the rate of patients satisfaction.

Comparison of patient-reported outcomes after penile prosthesis placement in men with and without Peyronie's disease

We evaluated outcomes in patients undergoing penile prothesis (PP) implantation for erectile dysfunction (ED) and concurrent Peyronie's Disease (PD). A clinician-developed survey to assess satisfaction was sent to 354 patients who underwent PP placement from 2012-2018 by a single-surgeon. Results were compared based on the presence or absence of concurrent PD. 79 patients completed the survey (response rate 22%), including 38 patients (48%) with concurrent ED and PD (ED/PD). Mean follow-up was 31 months (standard deviation 19). 87% felt their condition was "very much" or "much" improved. There was no significant difference in patient-reported overall satisfaction with their PP or satisfaction with current penile length/girth based on the presence or absence of PD. 87% of patients with PD were satisfied with their degree of penile straightening after PP plus or minus concurrent straightening maneuvers such as modeling, plication, or incision/grafting. Sub-group analyses were performed to evaluate outcomes in those with concurrent PD/ED who required plaque incision/grafting at the time of PP placement for more severe deformity (n = 19). 47% of these patients were dissatisfied with their current penile length, compared with only 16% of those patients with PD/ED who did not require grafting (p = 0.05). In conclusion, the presence of PD alone may not impact PP satisfaction, but patients with more severe baseline deformity who require incision/grafting may be less satisfied with outcomes including penile length.

Partner Involvement Reduces Postoperative Care Burden Following Penile Prosthesis Placement

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether preoperative partner involvement at clinic appointments is associated with deviation from a standardized postoperative care pathway for patients undergoing an inflatable penile prosthesis placement.

METHODS

This is a retrospective study of 170 patients undergoing primary inflatable penile prosthesis placement performed by a single surgeon between 2017 and 2020. A standardized postoperative clinical pathway was used, including planned follow-up visits at 2 weeks (for wound check and device deflation) and 6 weeks (for device teaching). Patient characteristics, including demographics, partner involvement, and the number of follow-up visits were obtained from the medical record. Logistic regression modeling was performed to determine whether partner involvement was associated with unanticipated follow-up visits.

RESULTS

Partners were involved in preoperative visits for 92 patients (54%). Additional unplanned follow-up visits were observed for 58 patients (34%) between 0 and 6 weeks and for 28 patients (16%) after 6 weeks from surgery. Partner involvement was associated with reduced odds of unanticipated follow-up visits, both between 0 and 6 weeks (odds ratios 0.37, 95% CI 0.18-0.75) and after 6 weeks (odds ratios 0.33, 95% CI 0.13-0.81) in adjusted models.

CONCLUSION

Having a patient's partner involved during the preoperative period is associated with a significant reduction in unanticipated follow-up. We would recommend that urologists routinely encourage patients considering the insertion of a penile prosthesis to involve their partners in perioperative visits. Further research needed is needed to determine how to best support patients during surgical decision-making and through the postoperative period.

Sexual dysfunctions of rheumatological patients are a neglected issue: Results from a national survey of Italian Society of Rheumatology

INTRODUCTION

Sexual dysfunctions (SD) are frequently encountered in patients with rheumatologic diseases. In this scenario, a multidisciplinary approach to rheumatologic diseases is often mandatory. The aim of this survey was to assess whether Italian rheumatologists routinely explore sexual health of their patients, their knowledge on the topic, and the barriers to discussing SD in clinical practice.

METHODS

A 32-items anonymous questionnaire was mailed to members of the Italian Society of Rheumatology (rheumatologists and residents in rheumatology training) in February 2023. The questionnaire aimed to determine attitudes, knowledge, and practice patterns regarding the discussion of SD with rheumatologic patients. A descriptive analysis of responses was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 162 responses were received. Overall, 50.0% of respondents occasionally asked patients about SD related to their rheumatologic pathologies, while 37.1% never did so. Respondents declared that patients occasionally (82.3%) or never (16.1%) reported SD related to rheumatologic diseases. The main barriers to discussing sexual health were lack of time during medical examination (46.6%), patients' discomfort (44.8%), and lack of knowledge/experience (39.7%). Overall, 41.9% and 33.9% of respondents respectively totally and partially agreed that rheumatologists should routinely investigate patients' sexual health. Most of the respondents (79.0%) thought that discussing sexual health problems could help patients cope with their rheumatologic diseases. Of all respondents, 74.2% felt the need to broaden their personal knowledge about SD. Finally, 45.9% and 34.4% of respondents respectively partially and totally agreed that training courses for rheumatologists could be helpful in the management of sexual health in rheumatological patients.

CONCLUSIONS

SD was not routinely discussed in rheumatology practice, still remaining a neglected issue. The most frequent explanations for the lack of attention toward SD were lack of time, patients' discomfort, and lack of knowledge/experience. Most of the respondents expressed the possible usefulness of attending SD courses to improve knowledge about these conditions.

Investigating self-reported efficacy of lifestyle medicine approaches to tackle erectile dysfunction: a cross-sectional eSurvey based study

BACKGROUND

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the most common sexual dysfunction in men. Some types of ED are amenable to treatment using lifestyle medicine approaches with or without pharmacotherapy.

AIM

Investigate self-reported efficacy of lifestyle medicine approaches to tackle ED.

METHODS

A cross-sectional online survey of 1177 community dwelling adults explored the prevalence and methods used to tackle ED in the community setting. We examined differences between participants with and without ED. Variables associated with ED in univariable analyses were included in a multivariable logistic regression to identify variables independently associated with the condition.

OUTCOMES

Self-reported measure: perceived effectiveness of lifestyle medicine interventions to tackle ED.

RESULTS

Most respondents (76.5%) had experienced ED, and this was associated with having a long-term condition, taking anti-hypertensive medication, hypercholesterolaemia and obesity. Medication was the most common management strategy overall (65.9%), followed by stress management (43.5%) and weight loss (40.4%). Over half (53.9%) did not use any lifestyle modification strategies to tackle ED. Only 7.0% of ED sufferers received a mental health assessment and 29.2% received other tests (e.g., blood test, medical imaging) by GPs. Cardiovascular training was identified as the best rated strategy by its users (37.8%). Supplements (35.1%) and weight training/physical activity (32.6%) were also positively rated.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Structured education to general practitioners and community dwelling adults about the impact of lifestyle behaviour modification and how this could influence the appearance or trajectory of ED could help improve personal choice when tackling ED.

STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS

To our knowledge, this is the first study to collect eSurvey responses from community dwelling adults to gauge their reliance and perceived effectiveness of lifestyle medicine approaches to tackle ED. The principal limitation was the lack of follow-up, and not recording other information including lifestyle factors such as nutrition, smoking, and the use of alcohol and recreational drugs, which may have enabled a fuller exploration of the factors that could influence the primary outcome measures examined.

CONCLUSION

Despite the high prevalence of ED, there is not enough awareness in the community setting about effective and low-cost lifestyle medicine strategies, including cardiovascular training and the use of supplements and weight training, to help tackle this common condition.

A Systematic Review of Partner Satisfaction After Penile Prosthesis with Special Emphasis on LGBTQ + Populations

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Despite the current surgical advances and patients' satisfactions after penile prosthesis (PP) implantation, there has been paucity of data on reported partner satisfaction and their quality-of-life (QoL). Our objective was to summarize the current literature on partner satisfaction for both heterosexual and non-heterosexual populations, respectively. We specifically conducted a systematic review according to the Cochrane and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) standards, and stratified studies into three tiers by methodological rigor.

RECENT FINDINGS

After an initial search of 172 articles, 33 studies met the inclusion criteria for the final review: 30 for heterosexual partner satisfaction, and 3 for LGBTQ patient satisfaction were included due to lack of published literature on partner satisfaction for LGBTQ patients. For heterosexual partner satisfaction, 10 studies were classified as Tier 1, 11 studies were classified as Tier 2, and 9 studies were classified as Tier 3. From an initial search of 13 records, three studies consisting of 272 patients met the inclusion criteria for our LGBTQ review. Across all the tiers, studies noted satisfaction rates between 50 and 90% and improved satisfaction and sexual QoL metrics compared to pre-surgery rates. That said, partner satisfaction rates were also consistently lower than patient satisfaction rates. Although the range of evidence quality varies, the available literature suggests significant improvements in and relatively high rates of partner satisfaction after PP implantation. Given the diversity of study designs and widespread use of non-validated or non-specific questionnaires in the current literature, future research should focus on prospective studies and/or data collection using validated, PP-specific questionnaires.

Voice Assistants as Consultants for Male Patients with Sexual Dysfunction: A Reliable Option?

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of Google Assistant, Alexa, and Siri to recognize and answer questions about male sexual health. Each VA was tested on a smart speaker: Alexa on Amazon Echo Dot 4th Gen., Google Assistant on Google Home Mini, and Siri on Apple HomePod. A pool of patients' frequently asked questions regarding erectile dysfunction (ED), premature ejaculation (PE), Peyronie's disease (PD), male infertility, and other aspects of male sexual health were identified by authors. The recognition of question was evaluated ("yes" or "not"). For each recognized question, the response characteristics (domains) were rated on a scale from 0 to 10 (according to the quality). We chose the recognition rate of the questions as the primary outcome and the quality of the answers as the secondary outcome. Overall, the best VA in recognizing questions was Siri, with a total of 83.3% questions compared with 64.0% for Alexa (p = 0.024) and 74.0% for Google Assistant (p = 0.061). Siri was associated with a significantly higher recognition rate than Alexa for PE (80% vs. 40%; p = 0.002) and PD (66.7% vs. 33.3%; p = 0.010). The quality of the responses was classified as low in 57 out of 105 cases (54.3%), intermediate in 46 cases (43.8%), and high in only 2 cases (1.9%), highlighting an overall intermediate-low quality of the answers. Male infertility was the condition associated with the highest mean scores in "Targeted response to the problem" (7.32 ± 2.57), "Scientific correctness of the answer", (5.9 ± 2.76) "Completeness of the answer" (5.14 ± 2.56), and "Understandability of the response for a patient" (5.3 ± 2.51) domains. Siri was associated with significantly higher scores than Alexa (p < 0.05) in several domains of all conditions evaluated. The question recognition rate of VAs is quite high; however, the quality of the answers is still intermediate-low. Siri seems superior to Alexa in both question recognition and response quality. Male infertility appears to be the sexual dysfunction best addressed by VAs.

Timing and causative organisms associated with modern inflatable penile prosthesis infection: an institutional retrospective

BACKGROUND

The advent of antibiotic-coated devices has reduced the rate of inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) infections; however, this may have altered microbial profiles when infections do occur.

AIM

To describe the timing and causative organisms behind infection of infection retardant-coated IPPs in the context of our institution's perioperative antimicrobial protocols.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed all patients undergoing IPP placement at our institution from January 2014 to January 2022. In all patients, perioperative antibiotic administration was congruent with American Urological Association guidelines. Boston Scientific devices are impregnated with InhibiZone (rifampin and minocycline), and all Coloplast devices were soaked in rifampin and gentamicin. Intraoperative irrigation was performed with betadine 5% irrigation prior to November 2016 and with vancomycin-gentamicin solution afterward. Cases involving prosthesis infection were identified, and variables were extracted from the medical record. Descriptive and comparative statistics were tabulated to identify clinical characteristics, including patient comorbidities, prophylaxis regimen, symptom onset, and intraoperative culture result. We previously reported an increased infection risk with Betadine irrigation and stratified results accordingly.

OUTCOMES

The primary outcome was time to infectious symptoms, while the secondary outcome was description of device cultures at the time of explantation.

RESULTS

A total of 1071 patients underwent IPP placement over 8 years with an overall infection rate of 2.6% (28/1071). After discontinuation of Betadine, the overall infection rate was significantly lower at 0.9% (8/919) with a relative risk of 16.9 with Betadine (P < .0001). Primary procedures represented 46.4% (13/28). Of 28 patients with infection, only 1 had no identified risk factors; the remainder included Betadine at 71% (20/28), revision/salvage procedure at 53.6% (15/28), and diabetes at 50% (14/28). Median time to symptoms was 36 days (IQR, 26-52); almost 30% of patients had systemic symptoms. Organisms with high virulence, or ability to cause disease, were found in 90.5% (19/21) of positive cultures.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Our study revealed a median time to symptoms of just over 1 month. Risk factors for infection were Betadine 5% irrigation, diabetes, and revision/salvage cases. Over 90% causative organisms were virulent, demonstrating a microbial profile trend since antibiotic coating development.

STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS

The large prospectively maintained database is a strength along with the ability to follow specific changes in perioperative protocols. The retrospective nature of the study is a limitation as well as the low infection rate, which limits certain subanalyses from being performed.

CONCLUSION

IPP infections present in a delayed manner despite the rising virulence of infecting organisms. These findings highlight areas for improvement in perioperative protocols in the contemporary prosthetics era.

[French language validation of the SSIPI questionnaire assessing the satisfaction of patients with penile implant]

INTRODUCTION

The objective of this study was to propose a French version of the satisfaction survey for inflatable penile implant (SSIPI) questionnaire.

MATERIAL

Questionnaire validation was performed in three steps: translation into French by two urologists, its validation by the committee of andrologist and sexual medicine (CAMS) and an independent translation in English by another urologist to exclude any distortion with the original version. Furthermore, the questionnaire was tested in few patients having penile implant.

RESULTS

The andrology committee approved the French version of the questionnaire. The final version of the questionnaire was successfully tested on all patients. Every patient (n=10) confirmed the good comprehension and pertinence of the questions, and the easy response selection.

CONCLUSION

This French version of the SSIPI questionnaire will allow French-speaking urologists to assess the satisfaction of their patients with a penile implant on a large scale.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

Penile Implants: A Lesson from the First 50 Years

This year marks the fiftieth anniversary of the first implant of an inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP). The authors of this paper want to celebrate the event with a narrative review of the current literature. The main scopes are antibiotic prophylaxis, patient satisfaction, and future developments. The implant of the first IPP in 1973, performed by Branteley Scott was a turning point in the history of penile prosthesis, revolutionizing the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). Since then, the idea of an inflatable device has not changed much. However, the innovations in design, materials, surgical techniques, and perioperative management led to a more natural, durable, and reliable device featuring fewer complications and greater patient satisfaction. Currently, IPP is associated with high patient satisfaction and excellent long-term outcomes, remaining the gold standard for men with refractory ED. Several strategies are under investigation to improve the technology of penile prosthesis, and we expect in the next future the introduction of new devices that are easier to activate, discreet, comfortable when deflated, and durable in time, mimicking a more physiological erection.

Under-recognized factors affecting penile implant satisfaction in patients

INTRODUCTION

Surgical management via penile prosthesis is an option for patients who have failed medical management. There is a paucity of literature surrounding factors contributing to patient satisfaction after implant surgery. The objective of this study was to characterize patients' and surgeons' attitudes toward factors affecting satisfaction with this procedure.

METHODS

Two patient cohorts were identified and contacted via email: a medical management of erectile dysfunction (ED) cohort and a penile implant patient cohort. A third cohort, Canadian urologists who perform penile implant surgeries, was also contacted. The surveys consisted of 5-7 questions, including a rating question regarding the importance of various penile implant factors.

RESULTS

Forty-six ED patients, 45 post-implant patients, and 12 urologists completed the survey. The mean overall satisfaction on a 10-point scale was 6.49 (standard deviation [SD] 2.92). Most (67%) urologists selected patient satisfaction as one of their least favorite aspects of penile implant surgery. Compared to postimplant patients, ED patients reported greater importance in the areas of appearance (p=0.035), soft glans (p=0.040), and concealment of implant (p=0.007). Urologists ranked natural feel (p=0.019) and generating a discrete erection (p=0.022) as less important than patients.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study that examines which specific variables of penile implant surgery are associated with satisfaction while comparing surgeons' understanding of what patients desire from this surgery. This study identifies several factors deemed important by patients but under-recognized by urologists. This knowledge can aid urologists in optimizing preoperative counselling and improving patient satisfaction.

Impact of extracorporeal shockwave therapy for erectile dysfunction and peyronie's disease on reproductive and hormonal testicular function

Introduction

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy is an established treatment for erectile dysfunction and Peyronie's disease. Concerns regarding the safety of extracorporeal shock wave therapy for andrological purposes on testicular function were raised by animal studies.

Aim

To evaluate the impact of extracorporeal shock wave therapy for erectile dysfunction or Peyronie's disease on reproductive and hormonal testicular function.

Methods

We designed a prospective controlled study in which consecutive patients were enrolled. Males aged between 18 and 40 years with mild vasculogenic erectile dysfunction or acute inflammatory Peyronie's disease and normozoospermia were included. All enrolled patients were offered extracorporeal shock wave therapy, and subjects who refused extracorporeal shock wave therapy for any reason were considered as the Control group. All patients in the Intervention group were treated with DUOLITH SD1 T‐TOP by a single expert urologist. Semen analysis and serum total testosterone dosage were performed before the start (T0) and 3 months after the end of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (T1) in Intervention group. The same parameters were evaluated after the extracorporeal shock wave therapy refusal (T0) and at the end of the following 3 months (T1) in Control group. Normozoospermia was chosen as the primary outcome, serum total testosterone concentration was selected as the secondary outcome.

Results

A total of 94 patients were enrolled in the study (48 Group A, 46 Group B). At T0, all patients were normozoospermic in both groups (p = 0.563), and no significant difference in mean ± SD total testosterone levels was recorded between the groups (582.5 ± 107.2 vs. 634.6 ± 108.4 ng/dl; p = 0.221). At T1, no significant deterioration (p > 0.05) in semen parameters was recorded in both groups. Only a statistically significant reduction in seminal pH was found after extracorporeal shock wave therapy compared to baseline (7.9 ± 0.3 vs. 7.5 ± 0.2; p < 0.001) and untreated patients (7.8 ± 0.2 vs. 7.5 ± 0.2; p < 0.001). No significant difference in total testosterone levels was recorded in Intervention group after extracorporeal shock wave therapy compared to baseline (p = 0.584).

Conclusion

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy in erectile dysfunction and Peyronie's disease patients does not seem to affect reproductive and hormonal testicular function.

Efficacy of Low-Intensity Extracorporeal Shock Wave Treatment in Erectile Dysfunction following Radical Prostatectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a well-known complication of radical prostatectomy (RP). Oral 5-phosphodiesterase inhibitors are currently the most widely used penile rehabilitation treatment for ED following RP, but they are less effective than for those with general ED. Low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave treatment (LI-ESWT), causing a biological change that induces neovascularization, has recently been used as a treatment for ED. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the efficiency of LI-ESWT in ED following RP. PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched up until December 2021. The endpoint was the change in IIEF scores after LI-ESWT. Five papers (460 patients) were included in the final analysis. In IIEF scores performed 3–4 months after LI-ESWT, the group receiving LI-ESWT showed statistically significantly better results than the control (WMD = −2.04; 95% CI, −3.72 to −0.35; p = 0.02). However, there were a total of two studies that measured the results after 9–12 months. There was no statistical difference between the two groups (WMD = −5.37; 95% CI, −12.42 to 1.69; p = 0.14). The results of this analysis indicate that LI-ESWT showed a statistically significant effect on early recovery in penile rehabilitation of ED following RP. However, the level of evidence was low. Therefore, careful interpretation of the results is required.