The application of polypropylene mesh for testicular prosthesis in surgical castration for patients with prostate cancer

BACKGROUND: To explore whether a polypropylene mesh is suitable for application as a new material for testicular prostheses. METHODS: The data of 65 patients with advanced prostate cancer who underwent surgical castration in hospital were collected and analyzed. Patients who preferred to undergo traditional orchidectomy (n = 16) were assigned to the control group, and patients who underwent subcapsular orchiectomy plus implantation of a polypropylene mesh testicular prosthesis (n = 49) were assigned to the experimental group. The presence of hematoma, infection, and other complications in patients in these two groups were investigated at 3 and 12 months following the surgery. The patients were also followed up using a self-designed testicular castration satisfaction questionnaire. RESULTS: A higher score indicated greater satisfaction. The mean score was 15.33 ± 2.85 in the experimental group and 4.63 ± 1.45 in the control group at 3 months after the surgery. The mean score was 14.92 ± 1.74 in the experimental group and 4.25 ± 1.61 in the control group at 12 months after the surgery. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant at the two time points (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with orchidectomy alone, patients were more satisfied with subcapsular orchiectomy plus the implantation of a polypropylene mesh testicular prosthesis for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. Furthermore, the polypropylene mesh testicular prosthesis maintained its original character over the duration of the study, with a good long-term effect. Thus, implantation of a polypropylene mesh testicular prosthesis is indicated to be safe and effective, and polypropylene mesh is potentially useful as a new material for testicular prostheses.