Penile implant success in patients with corporal fibrosis using multiple incisions and minimal scar tissue excision.

OBJECTIVES

To establish the efficacy of "minimal scar tissue excision" in the treatment of penile fibrosis.

METHODS

Thirty-four patients with extensive penile fibrosis who underwent placement of penile implant from October 1989 to April 1998 were evaluated by a chart review of the patient's follow-up data. Function of the implant was evaluated at follow-up visits. The follow-up ranged from 4 to 84 months (mean 23.7, median 22). All patients had undergone minimal scar tissue excision of the fibrous tissue in the penis.

RESULTS

All patients underwent successful introduction of the penile implant, and in no patient was the procedure abandoned because of technical difficulty. Intraoperatively, 1 patient developed a tear in the crus. It was not recognized during the initial operation but was repaired at a subsequent date by Gore-Tex grafting. The Uniflate prosthesis of another patient failed 2 years after the initial surgery and was replaced with the Mentor alpha-1 implant. None of the patients developed infection. All the patients had a functioning implant at the time of last review.

CONCLUSIONS

Minimal scar tissue excision is a safe and effective method in the management of extensive penile fibrosis.