Electrophysiological evaluation of alterations in penile sensation due to penile prosthesis implantation in patients with erectile dysfunction

OBJECTIVE: The present study was aimed to determine the effect of penile prosthesis implantation (PPI) surgery on penile sensation by evaluating the penile electromyography (EMG) variables. METHODS: The research was designed as a prospective study. Thirty patients who were diagnosed with organic erectile dysfunction and had underwent PPI surgery between January 2017 and January 2018 in the Urology Clinic of Antalya Training and Research Hospital were included in this study. Penile sensory EMG was performed on each patient 1 day prior to the surgery by the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation clinic. Additionally, the control EMG study was also performed in the 3rd and 6th postoperative months. RESULTS: We included 27 patients in this study who attended regular follow-ups and had complete EMG results. Out of the 27 patients, 23 (85.2%) patients had received malleable (ProMedon) penile prosthesis, one (3.7%) patient had received a two-piece inflatable (Ambicor) penile prosthesis, and three (11.1%) patients had received a three-piece inflatable (AMS 700 CXR) penile prosthesis. The mean nerve conduction value (NCV) of the patients was 29.85 (standard derivation: 22.54; range: 0–78.4) m/s during the preoperative period, whereas it was 27.64 (standard derivation: 24.72; range: 0–83.3) m/s in the 3rd postoperative month and 24.80 (standard derivation: 22.31; range: 0–88.4) m/s in the 6th postoperative month. There was no significant difference between preoperative NCV and 3rd postoperative month NCV (p=0.607). Similarly, no significant difference was observed between preoperative NCV and 6th postoperative month NCV (p=0.276). Additionally, the change between NCV values at postoperative 3rd and 6th months was not statistically significant (p=0.553). CONCLUSION: Significant loss of penile sensation does not occur in patients who undergo PPI surgery.