(015) No, Your Penis Is Not Smaller: a Comparative Analysis of Pre and Postoperative Penile Size Measurements Following Inflatable Penile Prosthesis Placement
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Introduction One of the most common concerns expressed by patients before and after inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) insertion is the fear of penile length loss, which causes significant anxiety. Long-term erectile dysfunction (ED) can indeed result in penile length loss. Since many patients suffer from ED for several years before receiving an IPP, they might perceive a subjective decrease in penile length after surgery compared to their pre-ED younger state. Providing objective evidence of actual penile length is crucial for setting realistic patient expectations before surgery, which may optimize their experience and increase satisfaction post-operatively. Objective Compare the overall penile length and width before and after IPP placement. As a secondary objective, we compared penile length and girth outcomes using different prosthesis models. Methods Patients who underwent primary IPP implantation at a high-volume penile implant center in the United States between May 2023 and May 2024 were included in the study. Demographics and primary versus revision surgery were recorded. Both Boston Scientific (BSC) and Coloplast implants were utilized. All measurements were taken by the same surgeon intraoperatively using a flexible ruler, immediately before and after IPP placement. Measurements were taken from the pubic bone to the tip of the glans in a straight line. The initial measurements were taken with the penis maximally stretched, and the postoperative measurement was taken with the IPP fully inflated. The width was measured using the same flexible ruler at the base of the penis. Clinical significance for all statistical analyses was assessed at p < 0.05. All statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS. Results A total of 151 patients were included in this analysis. Patients’ demographics are listed in Table 1. The mean post-implant length was significantly higher than the pre-implant length (15.24 cm vs. 14.71 cm, p < 0.001). Postoperative width also increased compared to preoperative measurements (4.80 cm vs. 3.59 cm, p < 0.001). For all implant brands, there was a significant increase in length post-operatively. Both Coloplast prostheses (Titan and Titan Narrow Base) and all BSC implants (LGX, CX, CXR) demonstrated similar improvements. Patients with a prior history of implant infection, or revision cases, more commonly received Coloplast implants. Conclusions Both BSC and Coloplast IPPs improve mean penile size, including length and width measurements, irrespective of model type, immediately after surgery compared to preoperative measurements. This topic of potential loss of penile length is an essential preoperative counseling point for inflatable penile prosthesis patients. Disclosure Any of the authors act as a consultant, employee or shareholder of an industry for: Boston Scientific; Coloplast; BK Ultrasound.
Source: The Journal of Sexual Medicine
Authors: PJ Arnold, JO Rust, TA Pereira, J Good, HL Bernie
Institutions: Indiana University, Indiana University School of Medicine
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4405221900