Correction of Penile Curvature by Rotation of the Corpora Cavernosa: A Case Report

Shaeer's corporal rotation IV: length-preserving correction of congenital ventral penile curvature

BACKGROUND

For cases with severe penile curvature, the loss in length with shortening techniques or the loss in rigidity with incision grafting can compromise the results, hence the advent of Shaeer's corporal rotation III technique, which corrects the most severe degrees of ventral penile curvature without loss in length, though with a certain degree of narrowing.

AIM

We sought to describe Shaeer's corporal rotation IV, aiming at correction of moderate-to-severe ventral penile curvature with minimal shortening, minimal narrowing, and minimal mobilization of the neurovascular bundle, among other improvements such as using thicker suture material to decease recurrence while inverting the surgical knots.

METHODS

Forty-two patients with congenital ventral penile curvature were selected for the study with a curve ranging from 60° to 90°. Patients were randomized into 1 of the 2 groups: Shaeer's corporal rotation III (SCR-III) and SCR-IV. In SCR-IV, rotation is used to correct the main brunt of curvature, up to 70% to 80% of the curve. Plication is used to correct the residual curvature up to 100% straightness. This keeps the rotation points fewer and closer to the midline, thereby minimizing narrowing and mobilization of the neurovascular bundle.

OUTCOMES

Both groups were compared with regard to intraoperative erection angle, length, and girth, before and after rotation, as well as subjectively reported postoperative recurrence, penile sensitivity, satisfaction, and IIEF.

RESULTS

The postcorrection angle was zero for all cases in the 2 groups. Dorsal length decreased by 3% in the SCR-IV group compared with 0.5% in the SCR-III group (2.5% difference). The difference in circumference between the narrowest and widest points was 2% in the SCR-IV group vs 9.3% in the SCR-III group (7.3% difference). The average operative time was 19.2% shorter with SCR-IV. Girth asymmetry was reported in 1 (4.8%) of 21 patients in the SCR-IV group compared with 15 (71.4%) of 21 in the SCR-III group. Partial hyposensitivity of the penis was reported in 9.5% in the SCR-IV group compared with 19% in the SCR-III group.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

SCR-IV is an improvement over former versions of the technique, with higher patient satisfaction.

STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS

A strength of the study is the long follow-up period. Limitations include being a single-center study and reliance on patient reporting to evaluate recurrence and satisfaction.

CONCLUSION

The SCR-IV technique corrects moderate and severe degrees of congenital ventral penile curvature, with little or no compromise in penile length, girth, or sensitivity.

The effectiveness of penile curvature treatment by cavernous body rotation and plication of the tunica albuginea

Background

There are several approaches to the surgical treatment of the penile curvature conditionally divided into three large groups: tunica albuginea plication (TAP), corpus cavernosum rotation (CR), and transplantation of various materials. The study aims to compare the effectiveness of TAP and CR techniques in the treatment of penile curvature. There was a prospective randomized study of the effectiveness of surgical treatment of patients with an established diagnosis of the penile curvature from 2017 to 2020 in Irkutsk, Russian Federation. The final analysis of the results included 22 cases.

Results

The analysis of the comparative intergroup effectiveness of the treatment performed based on the criteria established in the study showed good treatment results in 8 (88.8%) patients in the CR group and 9 (69.2%) patients in the TAP group (p = 0.577). The other patients obtained satisfactory results. There were no negative outcomes. Simple logistic regression analysis showed that the preoperative flexion angle > 60 degrees (OR 2.7; 95% CI 0.12; 5.28; p = 0.040) was significant in predicting the complaints of penile shortening during TAP. Both methods are safe, effective, and bring minimal risk of complications.

Conclusion

Thus, the effectiveness of both treatment methods is comparable. However, TAP surgery is not recommended for patients with an initial curvature of more than 60 degrees.

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.

Rotation of the corpora cavernosa for the treatment of congenital penile curvature

INTRODUCTION

Congenital penile curvature (CPC) is caused by a disorder in the embryonic development of the urethra and corpora cavernosa. The condition causes difficulty for penetration, requiring surgical correction when it prevents intercourse.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We present the cases of 2 men in their 40s who had ventral curvature greater than 60° of 2 years of evolution, with maintained erections. The patients underwent surgery for rotation of the corpora cavernosa. After the complete denudation of the penis, athermal release of the neurovascular bundle of the penis from the ventral side to the dorsal was performed. Once the curvature was verified using artificial erection, an incision was performed in the tunica albuginea of both corpora cavernosa, continuously suturing both internal and external margins with resorbable monofilament. The rectification of the curvature was then checked, and the mucocutaneous plane was reconstructed.

RESULTS

The surgical time was 120minutes and there were no intraoperative complications. Both patients were discharged 24h after the surgery. At 1 week, the patients experienced spontaneous night-time erections and were able to maintain sexual relations 1 month after the surgery. At 6 months, the residual curvature was less than 20°, the penile shortening was less than 1 centimeter and the International Index of Erectile Function-5 was 25 for both cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgery for rotation of the corpora cavernosa helps correct CPC without significant penile shortening or erectile dysfunction. In our opinion, the procedure is an appropriate treatment for patients with CPC but requires studies with long-term follow-up in order to consider it the technique of choice.

Congenital penile drop: defective suspensory ligament versus severe proximal curvature, a case series

INTRODUCTION

Penile drop is a condition where the erect penis is pointing downward. It can either be congenital or posttraumatic. Congenital cases can be attributed to either a defective penile suspensory ligament (PSL) or severe congenital curvature, with the point of maximum curvature proximal, at the base of the penis, concealed within the pubic fat (proximal penile curvature [PPC]). It is important to diagnose the underlying abnormality and choose the surgical approach accordingly, considering that surgical correction of PSL defects results in shortening that can be avoided in PPC cases.

AIM

This work describes a method for discriminating PSL defects from PPC and their surgical management.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Accuracy of preoperative diagnosis and results of surgery in terms of erection angle and penile length.

METHODS

This is a retrospective study of the management of 12 male patients with congenital penile drop. Diagnostic measures were the pubic gap sign: palpation of a gap between the pubis and the penis, the straightening sign: patients with PSL defects can correct the angle of erection while contrary to PPC cases, Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM), and intraoperative trial rotation of the corpora cavernosa that will correct PPC cases and point them out. Accordingly, PSL cases were managed by anchoring the base of the penis to the pubis, while PPC cases were managed by corporal rotation.

RESULTS

Penile drop was fully corrected with shortening in PSL group and without in the PPC group. The straightening sign, SHIM, and trial rotation were in agreement contrary to the pubic gap sign.

CONCLUSION

Discriminating PSL defects from PPC is possible by the combination between "straightening sign" and SHIM results. PSL cases should be managed by anchoring sutures despite the inevitable shortening. PPC cases can be spared the shortening by corporal rotation.

Structured Management and Counseling for Patients with a Complaint of a Small Penis

INTRODUCTION

Penile augmentation surgery has become increasingly common though there is no consensus about the management strategy for men with a complaint of small penis.

AIM

To introduce and evaluate the outcome of a structured management and counseling protocol for patients with a complaint of a small-sized penis.

METHODS

A structured protocol for consultation and management of (physically normal) patients with a complaint of a small penis through a descriptive study comprised of a series of 250 patients.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Percentage of patients who elect to undergo penile augmentation surgery.

RESULTS

Only nine patients (3.6%) chose to seek further surgical intervention. Two had a buried penis, two had true micropenis and five had normal penile size.

CONCLUSIONS

Using a structured management and counseling protocol, most men chose not to undergo penile augmentation surgery, even when offered for free.