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OBJECTIVE: To assess and contrast attitudes and confidence regarding erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment among urologists (GU) and primary care providers (PCPs), identifying areas for collaboration, practice improvement, and additional training to enhance men's healthcare (MH) quality and access. METHODS: An anonymous survey with 25 questions on ED treatment, rated on a 5-point Likert scale, was conducted among our institution's providers in GU, internal medicine (IM), and family medicine (FM). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-eight providers responded, including 58 IM, 47 FM, and 33 GU. FM and IM responses generally overlapped with some differences. IM was more positive regarding vacuum erection device (VED) and inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) satisfaction and risk. Comparing GU to FM + IM, GU displayed greater confidence and knowledge about ED. Notably, 63% of GU used the validated International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) compared to 3% of FM + IM. Additionally, 100% of GU strongly/agreed that good options remained after pills failed versus 83% of FM + IM. Significant differences in GU versus FM + IM perspectives on IPP included patient willingness to undergo surgery for ED (67% vs 12%), patient satisfaction (91% vs 28%), partner satisfaction (79% vs 26%) and willingness to recommend/repeat surgery (82% vs 17%). Notably, 82% of GU versus 10% of FM + IM were aware that Medicare covered implants. CONCLUSION: This survey reveals significant knowledge gaps in ED treatment between GU and PCPs. Targeted provider education, particularly about penile prostheses, could optimize patient care.
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OBJECTIVE: To characterize the discrepancy between patients' and providers' assessments of erection rigidity and its association with patient characteristics and penile ultrasound parameters. METHODS: Patients presenting for penile doppler ultrasound between July 2022 and October 2023 were reviewed retrospectively. After intracavernosal injection, patients and providers independently rated erection rigidity from 1 to 10 prior to ultrasound. We defined discrepancy as a difference of 2 out of 10 or greater between the two assessments. Chi-squared and Mann Whitney U tests were used for hypothesis testing. RESULTS: 65/297 (22%) of patients demonstrated a discrepancy in perceived erection quality. 58/65 (89%) of these patients rated their erections lower than their providers. There was a higher incidence of ED as the primary diagnosis in the discrepant group as compared to the concordant group (p=0.01). The discrepant group also showed a higher resistive index on penile ultrasound (p=0.04), with no difference in peak systolic velocity, end diastolic velocity, or other clinical variables between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Discrepancy in perceived erection rigidity was mainly driven by lower patient perception, although these patients had noninferior penile hemodynamics to their peers. These findings underscore the influence of subjective perception of virility on sexual function. It is critical for clinicians to identify patients with poor perception of erectile function out of proportion to physiologic abnormalities. Thoughtful counseling about treatment goals and expectations, emphasizing functional outcomes, and adjunctive treatments such as sex therapy or psychotherapy are critical to therapeutic success in this population.
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PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review assesses the effectiveness of various imaging modalities for diagnosing and managing Peyronie's disease (PD), exploring their clinical utility and limitations. RECENT FINDINGS: Ultrasonography, currently the only modality endorsed by the American Urological Association, effectively detects calcifications and assesses vascular status but struggles with identifying non-palpable plaques. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging provide detailed anatomical views but are costly along with other deterring factors. Autophotography and 3-dimensional imaging offer convenient home assessments but with variable accuracy. Elastography improves upon traditional ultrasonography, while emerging AI technologies show promise for automating precise curvature assessments, pending further validation. A combined approach tailored to each individual patient based on their needs enhances diagnostic accuracy. Supplementing ultrasonography with elastography and potentially AI could improve diagnostic outcomes and better guide treatment decisions. Continued research is vital to integrate these advancements into standard clinical practice and develop updated standardized protocols.
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Diagnóstico por Imagen , Induración Peniana , Induración Peniana/diagnóstico por imagen , Inteligencia Artificial/normas , Diagnóstico por Imagen/métodos , Diagnóstico por Imagen/normas , Diagnóstico por Imagen/tendencias , Ultrasonografía/normas , Humanos , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética/normas , Diagnóstico por Imagen de Elasticidad/normas , Fotograbar/normasRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Sexual Medicine Society of North America (SMSNA) fellowships offer variable experience in sexual health domains: erectile dysfunction, Peyronie's disease, male infertility, male hypogonadism (low testosterone), reconstruction (including male incontinence), benign prostatic hyperplasia, gender affirmation surgery, sexual mental health, and female sexual dysfunction. AIM: To evaluate baseline and postbootcamp understanding and trust in these domains. METHODS: In 2023, 28 of 31 urologists currently enrolled in SMSNA-endorsed fellowships participated in a 3.5-day training bootcamp in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Participants were asked to complete pre- and postbootcamp surveys. The bootcamp curriculum offered American Urological Association guidelines and case-based lectures, hands-on clinical training with cadavers (penile surgery) and models (collagenase training), and interaction with industry. OUTCOMES: Changes in knowledge, independence, and trust in performing the procedures, as well as billing issues and feedback for future bootcamps. RESULTS: Prebootcamp surveys revealed vastly varied residency experience. Reported time with an expert faculty member was greatest for benign prostatic hyperplasia and least for female sexual dysfunction, gender affirmation surgery, and low testosterone. The lowest prebootcamp confidence in performing surgery independently was for penile grafting procedures and elevating the neurovascular bundle. Postbootcamp results revealed several areas of significant improvement in confidence (P ≤ .03): intralesional injections for Peyronie's disease, manual modeling, penile plication, penile grafting procedures, and elevating the neurovascular bundle. There was a trend for improved confidence with the insertion of inflatable (P = .05) and semirigid (P = .08) penile prostheses. Nonsignificant improvement occurred in artificial urinary sphincter surgery (P = .12). Participants graded the bootcamp very highly and requested that next year's bootcamp have more content on female sexual dysfunction, male incontinence, and low testosterone, as well as more hands-on skills sessions and case-based lecture formats. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Offering a bootcamp with hands-on instruction could significantly improve urologists' knowledge and confidence. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: As the main strength, this study was the first specialized bootcamp for urologists in the subject of men's health, taking into account hands-on and cadaver laboratories, as well as highlighting industrial and pharmaceutical products. The small sample size was the major limitation. CONCLUSIONS: Current SMSNA fellows present with varied levels of experience and confidence across sexual health domains. Notable confidence improvements were seen with topics that combined didactic lectures with hands-on trainings.
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Curriculum , Becas , Humanos , Masculino , Femenino , Sociedades Médicas , Urología/educación , América del Norte , Disfunciones Sexuales Fisiológicas/terapia , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Sexología/educaciónRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate predictors of implant length for men undergoing primary IPP placement. METHODS: A multicenter, retrospective cohort study was performed for men undergoing primary IPP placement at 16 high-volume surgical centers. Patient demographics, comorbidities, operative approach, and implanted cylinder and rear-tip extender length were recorded. Associations between potential preoperative and intraoperative predictors of total device length were tested using non-parametric correlation and Kruskal-Wallis tests, followed by multiple regression. RESULTS: Of 3951 men undergoing primary IPP placement from July 2016 to July 2021, the median implant length was 20 cm (IQR: 19-22). Shorter implant length was associated with increasing age in years (ß = -0.01, P = .009), Asian ethnicity (ß = -2.34, P = .008), history of radical prostatectomy (ß = -0.35, P = .001), and use of an infrapubic surgical approach (ß = -1.02, P <.001). Black or African American ethnicity was associated with the implantation of longer devices (ß = 0.35, P <.001). No significant associations were recorded with BMI, history of intracavernosal injections, diabetes mellitus, tobacco use, radiation therapy, Peyronie's disease, priapism, or cavernosal dilation technique. CONCLUSION: The length of an implanted penile prosthesis was found to be associated with preoperative and intraoperative factors including history of radical prostatectomy and operative approach. The knowledge of these associations may assist in the preoperative counseling of patients receiving IPP and help create accurate postoperative expectations.
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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the variability in the criteria of erectile dysfunction (ED) regenerative therapy trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. METHODS: Interventional trials on ClinicalTrials.gov with the keywords "erectile dysfunction" and variations of "shockwave," "platelet rich plasma," "stem cell," "regenerative," and "restorative" were examined. Inclusion/exclusion criteria and primary/secondary outcomes were compared between extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), platelet rich plasma and stem cell injections (PRP/SC), and other regenerative therapies (ORT) groups. RESULTS: Of the 92 trials analyzed, International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) score was the most common primary outcome (72%), with a higher prevalence in ESWT trials than PRP/SC or ORT trials (89% vs 44% and 58%, P <.001). Safety/tolerability was a primary outcome for 44% of PRP/SC trials and 25% of ORT trials but no ESWT trials (P <.001). ESWT trials more frequently had sexual/romantic relationship-based inclusion criteria and cancer treatment-related exclusion criteria than PRP/SC and ORT trials. CONCLUSION: There is substantial variability in the inclusion/exclusion criteria and outcome measures among ED regenerative therapy trials. ESWT trials most frequently utilized IIEF and had the strictest inclusion/exclusion criteria, suggesting more rigorous and functional outcome-based studies. Conversely, PRP/SC and ORT trials, but not ESWT trials, had safety/tolerability as a primary outcome, likely due to the experimental nature of these therapies. The variability in inclusion/exclusion criteria and outcome measures limits comparison of the various ED regenerative therapies.
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Ensayos Clínicos como Asunto , Disfunción Eréctil , Plasma Rico en Plaquetas , Masculino , Humanos , Disfunción Eréctil/terapia , Tratamiento con Ondas de Choque Extracorpóreas/métodos , Medicina Regenerativa/métodos , Trasplante de Células MadreRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Microdenervation of the spermatic cord (MSCD) is an effective treatment modality for men with intractable scrotal content pain. For patients not interested in preserving fertility, some centers advocate ligation of the vas during denervation, while others prefer stripping of the vas deferens to preserve the vasal artery, hence preserving vasculature to the testis and possibly decreasing post-operative congestion pain. OBJECTIVE: To compare outcomes of patients with chronic orchialgia, who underwent MSCD by either stripping or ligating the vas deferens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 85 patients who underwent MSCD from 2017-2023 was performed. Patients' demographics including history of prior surgical procedures were recorded. Response to surgery was evaluated as either complete resolution of pain, partial resolution of pain, or no improvement in pain. RESULTS: Eighty-five patients underwent MSCD with a median (interquartile range, IQR) age of 36 (25.5-46.5) years and median duration of pain of 16 (6-31) months. Thirty-seven patients underwent stripping of vas, while 48 underwent ligation of vas during MSCD. Median follow up was 12 months. Twenty-one (43.5%) patients had prior inguinal scrotal surgery in the ligation group compared to 5 (13.5%) in the stripping group, p = 0.003. The etiology of pain was similar between the groups. The response to MSCD between the two groups was similar, 67.6% of patients who underwent stripping had complete resolution of pain versus 66.7% of those who had ligation (p = 0.968), with similar rates of post-operative complications (p-value = 0.132). CONCLUSIONS: In men with intractable chronic scrotal content pain with no interest in preserving fertility, ligation, or stripping of the vas deferens yields similar outcomes with regard to pain resolution. Both techniques are safe with no reports of any testicular atrophy.
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BACKGROUND: Penile cosmetic enhancement procedures have been performed for many years with varying success. However, they have historically been relegated to niche areas of sexual medicine, with limited data, and have not achieved mainstream adoption. More recently, the topic has been increasingly discussed within academic congresses due to availability of novel techniques, therapies, and procedures. Given their distinctive nature, the Sexual Medicine Society of North America (SMSNA) felt that it was pertinent to develop formal position statements to help guide both patients and sexual medicine providers on the current state of the scientific literature and to give recommendations for future research. AIM: The study sought to provide an evidence-based set of recommendations for injection and surgical procedures designed to lengthen, augment, or otherwise cosmetically enhance the penis. METHODS: A review was performed of all scientific literature listed in PubMed from inception through December 2023 relating to penile cosmetic enhancement procedures. Only invasive (injection/surgery) therapies were included due to their distinct risk-benefit profile compared with more conservative treatments (eg, vacuum erection devices, penile traction devices). Similar therapies were categorized, with pertinent data summarized and used to help create relevant position statements. All statements were expert opinion only and were based on analyses of the potential risks and benefits of the specific therapies. OUTCOMES: A total of 6 position statements were issued relating to 5 distinct sexual medicine cosmetic enhancement procedures. RESULTS: A consensus opinion was reached by SMSNA leadership on the state of injection/surgical penile cosmetic enhancement procedures as of 2024. Key topic areas addressed included injectable soft tissue fillers, suspensory ligament division, graft-and-flap procedures, silicone sleeve implants, and sliding/slicing techniques. Distinct recommendations were tailored to each therapy and were based solely on the current state of the literature. It is anticipated that future studies will further inform position statements and will lead to ongoing modifications. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The current position statements provide both patients and clinicians evidence-based, expert recommendations on best practices relating to penile cosmetic enhancement procedures. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: Strengths include the use of an expert panel of sexual medicine clinicians, consensus design, and summary of existing literature. Limitations include expert opinion and limited research on the topic. CONCLUSION: The current SMSNA position statements provide evidence-based, consensus opinions on the appropriate role for penile augmentation and cosmetic procedures in 2024.
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Técnicas Cosméticas , Pene , Humanos , Masculino , Técnicas Cosméticas/normas , Pene/cirugía , Sociedades Médicas/normas , América del NorteRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Variations in climate have been associated with a greater risk of surgical site infections, urinary tract infections, and changes in the skin microbiome; however, limited data exist on the impact of climate on inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) infections. AIM: We sought to evaluate the impact of climate on the risk of IPP infections in a large international, multicenter cohort. METHODS: We performed a multi-institutional, retrospective study of patients undergoing IPP surgery. We then evaluated whether the month or season, during which surgery was performed, affected device infections. Implant infections were defined as infections requiring device explantation. A univariate logistic regression analysis was undertaken. OUTCOMES: Our primary outcome was implant infection. RESULTS: A total of 5289 patients with a mean age of 62.2 ± 10.8 years received IPP placement. There was a fairly even distribution of implants performed in each season. A total of 103 (1.9%) infections were recorded. There were 32 (31.1%) IPP infections in patients who underwent surgery in the summer, followed by 28 (27.2%) in the winter, 26 (25.2%) in the spring, and 17 (16.5%) in the fall. No statistically significant differences were recorded in terms of season (P = .19) and month (P = .29). The mean daily temperature (P = .43), dew point (P = .43), and humidity (P = .92) at the time of IPP placement was not associated with infection. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: These findings provide reassurance to prosthetic urologists that infection reduction strategies do not need to be tailored to local climate. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: Climate data were not directly recorded for each hospital, but rather based on the monthly averages in the city where the surgery was performed. CONCLUSION: The climate at time of IPP placement and time of year of surgery is not associated with IPP infection risk.
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Prótesis de Pene , Infecciones Relacionadas con Prótesis , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Prótesis de Pene/efectos adversos , Estudios Retrospectivos , Infecciones Relacionadas con Prótesis/epidemiología , Infecciones Relacionadas con Prótesis/etiología , Anciano , Estaciones del Año , Temperatura , Implantación de Pene/efectos adversos , Clima , Factores de RiesgoRESUMEN
Glans hypermobility (GH) is a well-described clinical entity that can have significant implications for cosmesis and function, resulting in sexual dissatisfaction, penile pain, and early device erosion, with an estimated incidence of 0.04% to 10%. We developed a novel grading scale to assess GH severity intraoperatively during primary inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) placement and describe a modified glanspexy technique to correct GH when encountered during IPP placement. 530 patients who underwent primary IPP placements from two high-volume prosthetic surgeons between February 2018 - November 2019 were retrospectively reviewed in order to identify the incidence of GH. Of these, 139 (26.2%) had hypermobility. Employing our new scaling system, grade 1, 2, and 3 GH was seen in 86 (16.2%), 29 (5.5%), and 24 (4.5%) cases, respectively. Increased implant size correlated with a decreased likelihood of GH incidence. Each increase in implant size by 1 cm decreased the incidence of detecting GH by 11.0% (OR = 0.89; p = 0.015). 11 patients underwent primary GH repair using our described technique. At one-year follow-up, one patient required repeat glanspexy for recurrent bothersome GH and a second patient developed a suture granuloma at the glanspexy incision requiring unilateral cylinder explant. Our modified glanspexy technique can be used to correct GH in any direction and is a useful tool for the prosthetic surgeon's armamentarium.
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INTRODUCTION: Penile fracture is traditionally considered a surgical emergency warranting immediate repair with the goal to maximize long-term erectile function and minimize penile curvature. Nonetheless, consensus on the optimal timing for penile fracture repair remains to be elucidated and is the subject of continued research efforts. OBJECTIVES: This review aims to summarize the contemporary literature pertaining to optimal timing of penile fracture repair and associated outcomes. METHODS: We queried PubMed/MEDLINE and Google Scholar for relevant articles published between 2012 and 2022 to evaluate the most recent literature on the queried topic of early vs delayed intervention for penile fracture. All examined review articles were published within the last decade but may have included analyses of studies published prior to 2012. Reference lists of articles and reviews were manually reviewed to identify additional relevant articles. RESULTS: We identified 16 articles that met inclusion criteria: 12 primary articles and 4 systematic reviews or meta-analyses. Importantly, definitions of early and delayed intervention varied greatly among studies, making quantitative comparison challenging. In summary, 6 primary studies and 2 systematic review articles favored early intervention. There were also 6 primary studies and 2 systematic review articles suggesting equivocal outcomes between early and delayed repair. No articles demonstrated improved outcomes with delayed repair relative to early intervention. CONCLUSION: Surgical intervention for penile fracture remains the gold standard, with superior long-term sexual and functional outcomes when compared with conservative management. Optimal timing of penile fracture repair remains to be elucidated with data limited by low incidence, resulting in small case series and a lack of randomized controlled trials. Nonetheless, recent data suggest that a brief delay in surgical intervention for patients presenting with penile fractures does not affect long-term sexual and functional outcomes.
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Pene , Humanos , Masculino , Pene/lesiones , Pene/cirugía , Tiempo de Tratamiento , Rotura/cirugía , Factores de TiempoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To elucidate reasons for premature discontinuation of Collagenase Clostridium histolyticum (CCH) injections for the treatment of penile curvature associated with Peyronie's disease. METHODS: A database of men who underwent CCH injections at a single institution was queried to identify men who completed fewer than 8 injections. Chart review was conducted to identify reasons for treatment discontinuation. When this could not be identified, patients were contacted first via the online patient portal and next by phone. RESULTS: Of 406 patients who underwent CCH treatment, 133 did not complete 8 injections (32.8%). The most common reasons for discontinuation were satisfactory curve reduction (27%), unsatisfactory curve reduction (21%), bothersome side effect (15%), and pursuit of surgery (12%). Other less common reasons included other health concerns, pausing treatment due to the COVID-19 pandemic, high cost, transferring care elsewhere, and lack of awareness that more injections were indicated. CONCLUSION: We present the largest series of patients to date dedicated to evaluation of CCH discontinuation. We find that up to 1/3 of patients who begin CCH injections will not complete the full treatment course. Understanding the reasons for discontinuation can help providers better stratify patients for CCH treatment vs other modalities. In addition, as previous studies indicate curvature improvements are equally likely to be seen in the final four injections as the first four, our data points to the potential impact of improved patient education for individuals who discontinue due to unsatisfactory curve reduction.
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Induración Peniana , Masculino , Humanos , Induración Peniana/cirugía , Colagenasa Microbiana , Pandemias , Resultado del Tratamiento , Inyecciones Intralesiones , Pene/cirugía , Atención al PacienteRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To determine change in the point of maximal curvature (POMC) during Collagenase Clostridium histolyticum (CCH) injections for Peyronie's disease (PD). METHODS: A prospective database has been maintained of all men undergoing CCH injections since March 2014. For the current study, data were abstracted on the POMC with each curve assessment and correlated with demographic and clinical factors. Maximal changes were defined as the largest change in POMC from baseline. RESULTS: Six hundred and eighteen men underwent ≥1 series of CCH, with 313 having a baseline and subsequent POMC measurements available. Median baseline curvature was 60.0° and POMC 2.8 cm. Among 189 men who were satisfied or completed 8 CCH injections, the median improvement in penile curvature was -27.5° (40.9%). The median maximal change in POMC during CCH treatment was 1.0 cm (interquartile range, 0.5, 1.8). Overall, 55.6% had changes in POMC of ≥1 cm, 23.6% ≥2 cm, 8.9% ≥3 cm, and 3.8% ≥4 cm. Multivariate logistic regression identified ventral curvature as a predictor of larger change in POMC, after controlling for other variables. Study limitations included the observational, non-randomized study design and potential for intra- and inter-individual measurement variability. Strengths are the inclusion of an all-comer population, large series, prospective database, and routine objective assessments. CONCLUSION: Approximately half of men with PD undergoing CCH experience ≥1 cm of change in POMC during the treatment course, with nearly 1/4 experiencing ≥2 cm. Findings suggest that patients may benefit from repeat curvature assessments with each CCH series to optimize accuracy of drug administration.
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Colagenasa Microbiana , Induración Peniana , Masculino , Humanos , Induración Peniana/tratamiento farmacológico , Proopiomelanocortina , Pene , Bases de Datos FactualesRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The efficacy and safety of collagenase Clostridium histolyticum (CCH) have been demonstrated in the treatment of men with Peyronie's disease (PD); however, the pivotal clinical trials excluded men with ventral penile curvature. AIM: The study sought to evaluate outcomes of CCH treatment in men with ventral curvatures secondary to PD. METHODS: Men with PD treated with CCH were identified from a prospective database. Patients received up to 4 series of CCH injections using a progressively modified protocol over time. Results were compared between those with baseline ventral vs nonventral penile curvatures. OUTCOMES: Changes in penile curvature, Peyronie's Disease Questionnaire scores, International Index of Erectile Function scores, nonstandardized assessments, and adverse events. RESULTS: A total of 560 men with PD (85 ventral curvature, 475 nonventral curvature) were included in the analysis. Baseline median curvature was 60.0° (interquartile range, 48.8°-75.0°) in the ventral cohort and 65.0° (interquartile range, 45.0°-80.0°) in the nonventral cohort. Median change from baseline penile curvature was -25.0° in the ventral cohort vs -24.0° in the nonventral cohort (P = .08, between-group comparison), which corresponded to curvature reductions of 44.7% and 33.6%, respectively (P = .03). In the subset of patients who completed CCH treatment (ie, received 8 injections or discontinued early because of patient satisfaction with curvature reduction), median change from baseline was -35.0° in the ventral cohort vs -25.0° in the nonventral cohort (P < .05); median percent improvement was 48.3% and 37.5%, respectively (P = .11). Median change from baseline in Peyronie's Disease Questionnaire and International Index of Erectile Function domain scores and adverse events were similar between cohorts, with the exception of possibly higher hematoma rates in the nonventral group (50% vs 37%; P = .05). No urethral injuries were sustained in either cohort. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Data support the use of CCH for the treatment of ventral as well as nonventral penile curvatures in men with PD. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: Study strengths are the inclusion of a general clinical population of men with PD, the prospective design, and the relatively large series of men with ventral curvature. Limitations include the single-center and observational nature of the study. CONCLUSION: CCH was safe and effective in the treatment of both ventral and nonventral penile curvatures in men with PD.
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Disfunción Eréctil , Induración Peniana , Humanos , Masculino , Clostridium histolyticum , Inyecciones Intralesiones , Colagenasa Microbiana , Pene , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
Background and Objective: Treatment for medication-refractory erectile dysfunction (ED) is based on a shared decision-making model. The gold standard treatment for medication refractory ED is penile prosthesis (PP) placement. Patient satisfaction rates with PP are high with adequate counseling and expectation-setting. However, as with any elective surgery, patient selection is key to minimizing complications and ultimately patient dissatisfaction. Psychological well-being is an important consideration in the preoperative evaluation and postoperative management of patients undergoing PP placement. Methods: We performed a PubMed literature review to identify pertinent studies for this narrative review. Specifically, we sought describe preoperative evaluation including appropriate counseling and patient selection as well relevant intraoperative and postoperative factors for patients undergoing PP placement with a specific focus on optimizing preoperative psychiatric factors and treatment-related patient satisfaction to identify pertinent articles describing ways to optimize patient satisfaction with PP. Key Content and Findings: A patient's psychological state can influence the degree of understanding of their condition, affect perception of their treatment team, and limit their ability to cope with complications. All patients should undergo a thorough medical history and physical examination to screen for psychiatric health disorders, substance abuse, and chronic pain conditions. Establishing patient expectations with regards to treatment-related outcomes during the preoperative consultation will ensure congruency between the patient and performing surgeon. Patients with a more significant psychiatric distress related to their underlying sexual dysfunction may require additional evaluation and counseling preoperatively. Conclusions: PP placement is associated with high levels of overall satisfaction in appropriately screened patients. Specific considerations during preoperative counseling and careful patient selection, intraoperative decision making to avoid or anticipate possible complications, and postoperative cares are necessary to ensure the best result for an individual patient.
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INTRODUCTION: We characterize the geographic distribution of providers trained to inject Clostridium histolyticum and identify areas with low provider availability. METHODS: We utilized a publicly available search tool to identify clinical sites offering Clostridium histolyticum in the US The data gathered included the provider's name, specialty, address, and whether the site was considered high-volume (ie, administer ≥20 Clostridium histolyticum injections per year). Data were compared to the AUA Census. RESULTS: In total, 2,388 clinical sites offering Clostridium histolyticum were identified. A total of 894 sites (37%) were high-volume sites. The mean number of locations offering Clostridium histolyticum per 100,000 state residents was 0.69 (SD 0.27). Georgia (1.28), Rhode Island (1.13), and Alaska (1.10) had the highest number, whereas New Mexico (0.10), Maine (0.22), and Delaware (0.30) had the lowest. The mean proportion of urologists providing Clostridium histolyticum to total urologists was 0.17 (SD 0.07). The 3 states with the highest proportion were Georgia (0.37), Alaska (0.31), and Utah (0.30), whereas New Mexico (0.03), Maine (0.05), and Vermont (0.06) had the lowest. CONCLUSIONS: States with low numbers of clinical sites offering Clostridium histolyticum per 100,000 residents relative to other states also had a low total ratio of urologists offering Clostridium histolyticum as a treatment. There is room for urologists in these states and others to expand their practice to offer Clostridium histolyticum and improve patient access to this important nonsurgical treatment option.