Shaeer's punch technique: Trans-corporeal Peyronie's plaque surgery and penile prosthesis implantation

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction Penile prosthesis implantation in cases of severe Peyronie's disease may require plaque excision/incision and grafting, that may require mobilization of the neurovascular bundle (NVB) or urethra, posing the risks of penile hyposensitivity or urethral injury, and is time consuming, possibly increasing infection risk. Objective Evaluating trans-corporeal debulking of Peyronie's plaques by “Shaeer's Punch Technique”. Methods Penile prosthesis implantation and Punch technique (PPI-Punch) was performed for 26 patients. Following corporotomy and dilatation, Peyronie's plaques were punched-out from within the corpora cavernosa using the punch forceps then a penile prosthesis implanted. Comparison to a matching retrospective group of 18 patients operated upon by plaque excision-grafting and penile prosthesis implantation was performed. Outcomes were in terms of straightness of the erect penis, complication, satisfaction with length on a 5-point scale , the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF), and the Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction questionnaire (EDITS). Results Average pre-operative curvature angle was 58.1 ± 11.7 in the Punch group and 58 ± 14.8 in the excision-grafting group, p=0.99. Following 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 to the excision/grafting group with 7/18 patients reporting hyposthesia of the glans. Infection occurred in 1/26 patients in the PPI-Puch group, compared to 2/18 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.. Conclusions Shaeer's Punch Technique is a minimally invasive procedure for trans-corporeal excavation of Peyronie's plaques prior to penile prosthesis implantation. There is no need for mobilization of the neurovascular bundle or spongiosum, hence low or no risk for nerve or urethral injury and brief plaque surgery time. Disclosure Work supported by industry: no. A consultant, employee (part time or full time) or shareholder is among the authors (Coloplast, BSC, Rigicon).