A prospective evaluation of penile measures and glans penis sensory changes after penile prosthetic surgery

BACKGROUND: With better designed devices and lower infection rates, satisfaction with inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) placement is increasingly high. However, dissatisfaction is still present and there is disagreement regarding length and sensation changes after the IPP placement. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in penile length, girth and sensitivity after IPP placement. METHODS: From August 2012 to January 2013 all patients undergoing “de novo” IPP surgery were invited to participate in this study. Eighty six patients met inclusion criteria while 62 agreed to participate in this observational study. A week before surgery, penile length and circumference, and glans/elbow biothesiometer readings were recorded 15 minutes after Trimix induced erection. Same measures were taken at postoperative week 6 and month 6. RESULTS: Amperage from Glans biothesiometer readings showed statistically significant shorter readings than elbow biothesiometer preoperatively, 6 weeks and 6 months after surgery (P<0.001 each). No significant sensory difference in the glans penis after IPP was noted. However, compared to preoperative Trimix induced erections, penile length and circumference were greater after IPP placement (P=0.04 and P=0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: We observed statistically significant increase in penile length and girth after IPP placement without significant changes in sensory conduction.