Tunica albuginea overlapping: a novel technique for the treatment of erectile dysfunction

Abstract

Tunica albuginea (TA) in venogenic erectile dysfunction (VED) was found subluxated and flabby because of degeneration and atrophy of its collagen fibres. This had apparently led to derangement of TA veno-occlusive mechanism. We investigated the hypothesis that overlapping of the subluxated and flabby TA would achieve a competent veno-occlusive mechanism during erection. Tunical overlapping was performed in nine VED patients (age 35.6 +/- 1.6 years). Intracorporal pressure (ICP) was measured pre- and postoperatively. After penile degloving, TA on lateral penile aspect was divided along whole length of corpus cavernosum (CC) and tunical double-breasting for 1-1 1/2 cm was performed. A biopsy was taken from TA and stained with haematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome. Clinical efficiency of the operation was evaluated after 6 months. ICP increased (P < 0.01) postoperatively in the nine patients. The increase was maintained during follow-up period in eight patients and decreased to preoperative level in one. Six months after operation, the eight patients had significantly (P < 0.01) improved scores for the erectile function domain over the preoperative scores. Microscopic examination of TA biopsies showed atrophy of the collagen fibres. Tunical overlapping aims at correction of TA flabbiness, corporal tissue support and improving of veno-occlusive mechanism.