Surgery for Peyronie's disease

Peyronie's disease (PD) is most simply referred to as a fibrotic wound-healing disorder of the tunica albuginea. It is both a physically and psychologically devastating disorder that causes penile deformity, curvature, hinging, narrowing and shortening, which may compromise sexual function. Although a variety of non-surgical treatments have been suggested, none to date offer a reliable and effective correction of the penile deformity. As a result, surgery remains the gold standard treatment option, offering the most rapid and reliable treatment which will be the focus of this article. We review the preoperative evaluation, surgical algorithm, graft materials and postoperative management of PD. Outcomes for tunical shortening, tunical lengthening and penile prosthesis placement for penile straightening are reviewed. Tunica albuginea plication is the preferred method of straightening for men with adequate rigidity and less severe disease defined as curvature less than 70 degrees without narrowing/hinging. Men who have more severe, complex deformity, but maintain strong preoperative erectile function should be considered candidates for straightening with plaque incision or partial excision and grafting. Finally, for those men who have inadequate rigidity and PD, penile prosthesis placement with straightening is the best approach to address both problems. Asian Journal of Andrology (2013) 15, 27-34; doi:10.1038/aja.2012.92; published online 26 November 2012