Additional procedures performed at time of penile prosthesis implantation: a review of current literature

Abstract

Penile prosthesis implantation for treatment of medical refractory erectile dysfunction remains the gold standard. However, some men have additional pathology present such as Peyronie's Disease, penile shortening, penoscrotal webbing, buried penis or other penoscrotal anatomical abnormalities that may be addressed at the time of prosthesis implantation. Although several techniques are described, there remains a lack of data regarding the outcomes. We sought to identify the results of available literature regarding the additional procedures performed at the time of penile prosthesis implantation that provide defined surgical outcomes rather than merely describe surgical techniques. Surgical outcomes to procedures provide more realistic clinical outcome for readers than simply the description of novel techniques or expert opinions. We performed a review of the MEDLINE database to identify additional procedures performed in conjunction with penile prosthesis placement. Many procedures are described in review articles, however, with limited data regarding their outcomes. The included articles must describe additional procedures performed in conjunction with penile prosthesis placement. Perioperative office techniques and management were included if it changed the surgical technique. All abstracts obtained through search criteria were reviewed. Only articles written in English, on human subjects with documented surgical results and relevant articles were included in this study. After a thorough literature search, a total of 24 articles were identified. Penile lengthening procedures at the time of penile prosthesis comprise most of the literature on this subject. Lengthening procedures are as simple as Peyronie's plaque excision and grafting to complex sliding and lengthening procedures requiring complete neurovascular bundle and partial urethral mobilization. Additionally, aggressive cylinder sizing and prolonged postoperative cycling at home are also described. Glanulopexy may be necessary when malpositioning of the glans is present. Other options such as scrotoplasty are also available options for those patients with scrotal webs. Notably there is a paucity of published literature regarding girth enhancement, buried penis repair, hernia repair, and vasectomy at time of penile prosthesis placement. There are numerous procedures that can be performed in the same operative setting as penile prosthesis. Although the procedures do have a common goal to provide optimal postoperative natural appearance, length, straightness, girth and function, the techniques employed must be tailored to each patient as there is not a one-procedure fits all in this patient population.