Concurrent Erectile Dysfunction Research Articles

Measurement of Penile Curvature in Peyronie’s Disease Patients: Comparison of Three Methods

Peyronie's disease (PD) may be treated in a medical or surgical fashion. Factors involved in the decision of which treatment to choose include duration of disease and magnitude of penile deformity. Curvature can be measured using at-home photography (AHP), vacuum erection device (VED), or intracavernosal injection (ICI). This study was undertaken to determine the concordance between the three methods of deformity assessment. Patients were also questioned regarding the presence of erectile dysfunction (ED) based on self-report and the International Index of Erectile Function. A total of 68 men presented to their urologist after taking penile photographs from three angles during maximal erectile rigidity. In the office, a VED was used to induce erection, and a goniometer was utilized to measure degree of curvature. ICI with trimix was then used to induce artificial erection, which was measured with a goniometer as well. There was a statistically significant difference in self-report curvature magnitude compared with measured ICI-assisted curvature. Curvature profiles included dorsal plaques in 50 patients (73.5%), ventral plaques in 10 (15%), and lateral in eight (11%). Using ICI, the mean curvature measured was 42 degrees. Mean degree of curvature using VED was 33 degrees, while that of photography was 34 degrees. Photographic measurements differed most from ICI in men with concurrent ED (P < 0.01), while vacuum device measurements were most inaccurate in men with curvatures of >60 degrees. Our results show that the degree of curvature measured using vacuum-assisted device and AHP is underestimated as compared with the gold standard ICI. We therefore recommend that ICI be used to most accurately determine degree of deformity. If ICI is not available, it is imperative that the same manner of measurement be used between all patients in a study group, as well as during serial evaluation in a trial.

Surgical Techniques: Surgery to Correct Hidden Penis

Many men suffering from erectile dysfunction are overweight with generous suprapubic fat pads, which often contribute to a decrease in visible exophytic phallic length.To present a novel surgical concept of suprapubic fat pad excision with a concomitant placement of inflatable penile prosthesis.A transverse incision begins slightly medial to the anterior superior iliac spine, with the superior edge crossing transversely to the contralateral anterior superior iliac spine. The inferior border is incised in a curvilinear fashion, with the medial apex being approximately 1 cm above the base of the penis. Dissection is carried down to the lower abdominal anterior fascia, which leads to excision of the suprapubic fat pad. Using this same exposure, the inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) is placed via an infrapubic approach. The wound is reapproximated in multiple layers, and 2 drains are placed, 1 subcutaneous in the area of the fat pad excision and the other in the scrotum around the pump.Primary outcomes included penile implant functionality, ability to engage in sexual activity, and cosmetic satisfaction.A total of 8 patients have undergone suprapubic fat pad excision with simultaneous placement of IPP at our institution. Average body mass index of our patient cohort was 36.6. 1 patient developed prosthetic infection after inadvertent removal of his drains in the immediate postoperative period. At last follow-up, all other patients have excellent cosmetic and functional outcomes.This technique can lead to higher patient satisfaction with their penile implant, enhanced sexual performance, and improved quality of life for patients with concurrent erectile dysfunction and significant suprapubic fat pad.This unique technique has never been previously described. It allows placement of IPP in the setting of fat pad excision without any additional incisions. Limitations include the small patient population and relatively short follow-up.Suprapubic fat pad excision is a safe and reproducible technique that can be performed simultaneously with the placement of an IPP in appropriately selected patients. Patients must be counseled appropriately on the expectations of surgeries and the theoretical increased risk of postoperative complications, such as infection.Baumgarten AS, Beilan JA, Shah BB, et al. Suprapubic Fat Pad Excision with Simultaneous Placement of Inflatable Penile Prosthesis J Sex Med 2019;16:333–337.

The impact of long-term conventional treatment for overlap syndrome (obstructive sleep apnea and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) on concurrent erectile dysfunction

To assess the improvement of concurrent erectile dysfunction (ED) in men with overlap syndrome (obstructive sleep apnea and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and bronchodilators. We evaluated 48 men of a mean age of 52.8+/-10 years suffering from both obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and concurrent ED. They were treated with conventional for pulmonary obstruction therapy (CPAP and bronchodilators) for 6 months and then their erectile function (EF) status was reassessed. ED was considered as improved, if ED intensity score increased for at least five points compared to that of baseline. The determinants for improvement of ED were also evaluated, as well as patient's personal degree of satisfaction with the treatment they received as far as the disorder was concerned. EF was improved in 12 patients (25%), but only two thirds of them were satisfied with the grade of improvement after treatment. ED improvement was related positively with age and apnea/hypopnea index and negatively with ED duration. ED intensity score, O(2) saturation at night and BMI were not significantly related to the outcome of EF improvement. Conventional treatment for OSA and COPD, has a positive effect on concurrent ED on the minority of patients. This effect is possibly due to the improvement of respiration during sleep with CPAP and of oxygenation with bronchodilators continuously. Of the improved men, one third was not satisfied with the impact of this treatment modality on their EF. It is likely that specific for ED treatment is needed in these individuals.

Relationship Between the Severity of Penile Curvature and the Presence of Comorbidities in Men With Peyronie's Disease

We investigated the relationship between penile curvature severity and co-morbidities in men with Peyronie's disease (PD) and assessed whether the severity of curvature had an impact on penile vascular status and/or erectile function. Based on a 10-year period 469 patients with PD were retrospectively evaluated in regard to age at diagnosis, type and degree of penile curvature, erectile dysfunction (ED) and other comorbidities, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, serum lipid abnormalities, smoking and ischemic heart disease. To assess penile vascular status all men with PD underwent penile duplex Doppler ultrasound evaluation. The severity of penile curvature was classified using the Kelami system, that is grade 1--curvature 30 degrees or less, grade 2--30 to 60 degrees and grade 3--greater than 60 degrees. Mean patient age was 54.8 +/- 4.3 years (range 18 to 79) and the mean duration of symptoms was 24.8 +/- 13.7 months (range 3 to 120). The most common penile abnormality was dorsal curvature in 47.1% of patients. The most frequently documented co-morbid conditions in association with PD were hypertension in 27.2% of cases, smoking in 25.5%, hypercholesterolemia in 18.3%, diabetes mellitus in 17.2%, hyperlipidemia in 15.7% and a history of penile trauma in 13.2%. There was no relationship between the number or severity of each of these co-morbid conditions and the severity of the penile abnormality. In addition, there was no relationship between the severity of penile curvature and penile vascular status in patients with PD. Moreover, the prevalence of these comorbidities, except smoking and penile trauma history, was significantly higher in patients with PD and concurrent ED than in patients with PD only. While co-morbid conditions, such as hypertension, smoking, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidemia, are commonly seen in patients with PD and may seem to be risk factors for PD, there was no statistical relationship between penile curvature severity and any of these comorbidities. Similarly there was no statistically significant relationship between the severity of curvature and penile vascular status or ED. The fact that the prevalence of associated comorbidities is higher in patients with PD and ED than in patients with PD only indicates that these comorbidities are more likely related to ED than to the pathogenesis of PD.