Surgical niche for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Penile erection implicates arterial inflow, sinusoidal relaxation and corporoveno-occlusive function. By far the most widely recognized vascular etiologies responsible for organic erectile dysfunction can be divided into arterial insufficiency, corporoveno-occlusive dysfunction or mixed type, with corporoveno-occlusive dysfunction representing the most common finding. In arteriogenic erectile dysfunction, corpora cavernosa show lower oxygen tension, leading to a diminished volume of cavernosal smooth muscle and consequential corporoveno-occlusive dysfunction. Current studies support the contention that corporoveno-occlusive dysfunction is an effect rather than the cause of erectile dysfunction. Surgical interventions have consisted primarily of penile revascularization surgery for arterial insufficiency and penile venous surgery for corporoveno-occlusive dysfunction, whatever the mechanism. However, the surgical effectiveness remained debatable and unproven, mostly owing to the lack of consistent hemodynamic assessment, standardized select patient and validated outcome measures, as well as various surgical procedures. Penile vascular surgery has been disclaimed to be the treatment of choice based on the currently available guidelines. However, reports on penile revascularization surgery support its utility in treating arterial insufficiency in otherwise healthy patients aged <55 years with erectile dysfunction of late attributable to arterial occlusive disease. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that penile venous surgery might be beneficial for selected patients with corporoveno-occlusive dysfunction, especially with a better understanding of the innovated venous anatomy of the penis. Penile vascular surgery might remain a viable alternative for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, and could have found its niche in the possibility of obtaining spontaneous, unaided and natural erection.

Emergent Penile Venous Stripping for Treating Adolescent Impotence.

INTRODUCTION: Traditional anatomy-based penile venous surgery is deemed inadequate. Based on revolutionary insights into penile vasculature, penile venous stripping (PVS) shows promise in treating adolescent erectile dysfunction (AED). We aimed to report on this novel approach. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 223 individuals under 30 diagnosed with veno-occlusive dysfunction (VOD) between 2009 and 2023. Among them, 83 were diagnosed with AED and divided into the PVS (n = 37) and no-surgery (NS, n = 46) groups. All participants had been dissatisfied with conventional therapeutic options. Dual pharmaco-cavernosography was the primary diagnostic modality. PVS involved stripping the deep dorsal vein and two cavernosal veins after securing each emissary's vein with a 6-0 nylon suture. Erection restoration was accessed using the abridged five-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) score system and the erection hardness scale (EHS). Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS 21.0. RESULTS: There were significant differences (both p < 0.001) between the preoperative and postoperative IIEF-5 scores in the PVS and NS groups (9.8 ± 3.0 vs. 20.4 ± 2.2; 9.9 ± 2.5 vs. 9.5 ± 2.1), as well as in the EHS scores (1.7 ± 0.7 vs. 3.5 ± 0.6 and 1.8 ± 0.5 vs. 1.3 ± 0.4). The satisfaction rate was 87.9% (29/33) in the PVS group and 16.7% (17/41) in the NS group. CONCLUSIONS: AED can be effectively treated using physiological methods, although larger patient cohorts are needed for validation.

Coil Embolization Is Not Justified for Treating Patients with Veno-Occlusive Dysfunction: Case Series and Narrative Literature Review.

Introduction: Herein, we explore whether coil embolization (CE) is effective in treating veno-occlusive dysfunction (VOD). We present five cases with seven CE episodes and a narrative literature review. Methods: From 2013 to 2018, refractory impotence prompted five men to seek penile vascular stripping (PVS), although seven CE episodes were included. All received dual cavernosography in which erection-related veins and VOD were documented. PVS entailed the venous stripping of one deep dorsal vein and two cavernosal veins. The abridged five-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) score system and the erection hardness scale (EHS) were used, and yearly postoperative follow-ups were conducted via the Internet. Using Pub Med, a narrative literature review was performed on CE treatment for VOD or varicocele. Results: Inserted coils were scattered along the erection-related veins, including the deep dorsal veins (n = 4), periprostatic plexus (n = 5), iliac vein (n = 5), right pulmonary artery (n = 2), left pulmonary artery (n = 2), and right ventricle (n = 1). PVS resulted in some improvements in the IIEF-5 score and EHS scale. Six articles highly recommend CE treatment for VOD. All claimed it is a minimally invasive effective treatment for varicocele. Conclusions: CE is not justified as a VOD treatment, regardless of its viability in the treatment of varicocele.

Advances in understanding of mammalian penile evolution, human penile anatomy and human erection physiology: clinical implications for physicians and surgeons.

Recent studies substantiate a model of the tunica albuginea of the corpora cavernosa as a bi-layered structure with a 360° complete inner circular layer and a 300° incomplete outer longitudinal coat spanning from the bulbospongiosus and ischiocavernosus proximally and extending continuously into the distal ligament within the glans penis. The anatomical location and histology of the distal ligament invites convincing parallels with the quadrupedal os penis and therefore constitutes potential evidence of the evolutionary process. In the corpora cavernosa, a chamber design is responsible for facilitating rigid erections. For investigating its venous factors exclusively, hemodynamic studies have been performed on both fresh and defrosted human male cadavers. In each case, a rigid erection was unequivocally attainable following venous removal. This clearly has significant ramifications in relation to penile venous surgery and its role in treating impotent patients. One deep dorsal vein, 2 cavernosal veins and 2 pairs of para-arterial veins (as opposed to 1 single vein) are situated between Buck's fascia and the tunica albuginea. These newfound insights into penile tunical, venous anatomy and erection physiology were inspired by and, in turn, enhance clinical applications routinely encountered by physicians and surgeons, such as penile morphological reconstruction, penile implantation and penile venous surgery.

A case report of right cardiac ventricle perforation by uncontrolled embolization coil inserted for treating penile veno-occlusive dysfunction.

Coil embolization (CE) is believed effective-safe for treating penile veno-occlusive dysfunction (VOD). From 2012 to 2016, refractory impotence prompted four men to seek further treatment, although they underwent six CEs elsewhere. Uncontrolled coils scattered along penile drainage veins including the deep dorsal veins (n = 3), periprostatic plexus (n = 1), iliac vein (n = 1), right pulmonary artery (n = 2), left pulmonary artery (n = 1), and right ventricle (n = 1). The last one occurred in a 40-year-old house builder, and the coil perforated the right ventricle wall and diaphragm 18 months later. Given no sustainable improvement, CE's safety and efficacy are unreliable for treating patients with VOD.

Long-term results of autologous venous grafts for penile morphological reconstruction.

In order to evaluate the long-term results of autologous venous grafts, we present an overview of patients who underwent a procedure utilizing a venous patch from the deep dorsal vein with or without combination of the cavernosal vein in treating penile deformity. From March 1995 to March 2005, a total of 85 consecutive patients with Peyronie disease or congenital penile deviation underwent venous grafting. Tunical corporotomy was covered using transplanted venous wall sutured microscopically to collagen bundles of the inner circular and outer longitudinal layer of the tunica albuginea. The vein was sutured with the serosal side outward, after it had been detubularized, properly constructed, and spliced together. In this cohort, 48 patients with Peyronie disease and 37 with congenital penile deviation were respectively categorized as belonging to the Peyronie and congenital groups. All patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively with the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) scoring, angle measurement of erectile penis, satisfaction with the penile shape, and a cavernosogram which was further available for 15 patients. Histological confirmation in 5 cases was followed up for up to 10 years. The mean angle improvement was 44.8 +/- 3.6 degrees for the Peyronie group and 37.6 +/- 3.8 degrees for the congenital group. A satisfactory penile shape was achieved in 77 (90.6%) patients, although 8 men (9.4%) complained of mild deviation of the penis (<15 degrees). Erectile function was good in 81 patients, although 6 of them had to use oral sildenafil/tadalafil postoperatively. Overall, they had a mean preoperative IIEF-5 score of 19.7 +/- 2.8, which increased to a mean postoperative score of 21.6 +/- 2.2. The cavernosograms consistently disclosed a good penile shape. The histological confirmation showed that the donor vein retained its histological character despite the fact that perfect coalescence and lining up with the tunica albuginea were noted. The autologous vein appears to be an acceptable graft material, and the transplanted vein may have a modeling action rather than a scaffolding role in venous patch surgery on the penile tunica albuginea. Careful microsurgical manipulation is required to achieve a satisfactory, sustainable outcome.

The advancement of pure local anesthesia for penile surgeries: can an outpatient basis be sustainable?

Although topical anesthetic blockage for penile surgeries has been substantially reported in the medical literature, its methodology, reliability, and reproducibility have not been consistent. We report on several methods of topical blocks for local anesthesia in patients with indications for penile surgeries. From March 1993 to March 2003, a total of 1131 men, ages 19 to 87, underwent penile surgeries in which 165, 203, 708, 45, and 10 patients received penile implantation, modified Nesbit procedure, venous surgery, venous patches, and arterial revascularization respectively, under pure local anesthesia on an outpatient basis. They were categorized into the implant, Nesbit, venous, patch, and arterial groups respectively. Proximal dorsal nerve blockage, peripenile infiltration, and topical injection, although challenging, were sufficient local anesthesia for patients in the last 4 patient groups. A new method of crural blockade, however, was also required for optimal anesthesia of the cavernous nerve for implantation purposes. The anesthetic effects and postoperative results were satisfactory. Common immediate side effects included puncture of the corpus spongiosum or the deep dorsal vein as well as the innominate vessel, subcutaneous ecchymosis, transient palpitations, and acceptable low level of pain. There were no significant late complications. In the implant group, however, 6.1% of patients (10/165) had experienced pain over the perineum for 1 to 2 weeks postoperatively. Overall there were statistical differences in scoring between the 5 groups in which the implant group stood out when a visual analog scale of 100 mm was used. Topical nerve blockades proved to be reliable, simple, and safe, with minimal complications. They offer the advantages of less morbidity, reduced effects of anesthesia, protection of privacy, and a rapid return to preoperative daily activity.

Insufficient response to venous stripping surgery: is the penile vein recurrent or residual?

There is currently controversy on whether the insufficient response to penile venous surgery done in an attempt to restore erectile function is due to recurrent or residual veins. In order to elucidate this issue, we report a study on those patients who failed to respond to the first venous surgery and subsequently underwent or declined a second operation. From July 1996 to July 2003, a total of 83 patients, aged 25 to 83, who were dissatisfied with their first venous surgery and were later diagnosed with a persistent veno-occlusive dysfunction via our dual cavernosography, were recruited into our study. Subsequently, 45 men underwent penile venous stripping surgery for a second time and were assigned to the surgery group, whereas the remaining 38 men were subject to follow-up and routine management and were assigned to the control group. All were evaluated with the abridged 5-item version of the international index of erectile function (IIEF-5) every 6 months for 1 to 5 years and cavernosogram, if necessary. In the surgery group their preoperative IIEF-5 score was 10.1 +/- 3.7, which increased to 17.1 +/- 3.2 (P < .001) after the first surgery and further increased to 20.7 +/- 3.1 (P < .001) after a second venous stripping of the cavernosal vein that was consistently demonstrated on the cavernosogram. Overall, 41 men (91.1%) reported a positive response to further venous surgery, with more satisfactory coitus, after the residual veins were stripped thoroughly, although eventually 4, 3, and 3 men required additional oral sildenafil, penile implant, and intracavernosal injection, respectively. The follow-up period ranged from 12 months to 72 months, with an average of 37.0 +/- 11.5 months. In the control group, however, their corresponding IIEF-5 score changed from 17.4 +/- 2.9 to 16.9 +/- 3.2 (P > .05). Finally, 11, 7, and 8 men required additional oral sildenafil, penile implant, and intracavernosal injection, respectively. Although there was no statistical significance between the 2 groups in the first postoperative IIEF-5 scores, there was a significant difference in their IIEF-5 after further venous surgery. In this study, we propose that the clinical relapse of erectile dysfunction is a result of "residual" veins rather than "recurrent" ones.

Hypothesis of human penile anatomy, erection hemodynamics and their clinical applications.

AIM: To summarize recent advances in human penile anatomy, hemodynamics and their clinical applications. METHODS: Using dissecting, light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy the fibroskeleton structure, penile venous vasculature, the relationship of the architecture between the skeletal and smooth muscles, and erection hemodynamics were studied on human cadaveric penises and clinical patients over a period of 10 years. RESULTS: The tunica albuginea of the corpora cavernosa is a bi-layered structure with inner circular and outer longitudinal collagen bundles. Although there is no bone in the human glans, a strong equivalent distal ligament acts as a trunk of the glans penis. A guaranteed method of local anesthesia for penile surgeries and a tunical surgery was developed accordingly. On the venous vasculature it is elucidated that a deep dorsal vein, a couple of cavernosal veins and two pairs of para-arterial veins are located between the Buck's fascia and the tunica albuginea. Furthermore, a hemodynamic study suggests that a fully rigid erection may depend upon the drainage veins as well, rather than just the intracavernosal smooth muscle. It is believed that penile venous surgery deserves another look, and that it may be meaningful if thoroughly and carefully performed. Accordingly, a penile venous surgery was developed. CONCLUSION: Using this new insight into penile anatomy and physiology, exact penile curvature correction, refined penile implants and promising penile venous surgery, as well as a venous patch, for treating Peyronie's deformity might be performed under pure local anesthesia on an outpatient basis.

The progression of the penile vein: could it be recurrent?

Our aim was to study retrospectively the destiny of the deep dorsal vein of the penis in the event of its stripping surgery or its simple ligation in patients diagnosed with venoocclusive dysfunction 17 years ago. From June 1986 to May 1987, a total of 31 men were seen for erectile dysfunction due to venous leakage resulting from priapism, aging, or congenital or idiopathic factors. Of these, 23 men underwent venous stripping of the deep dorsal vein and are referred to as the stripping group. The remaining 8 patients received a simple ligation of the deep dorsal vein and are classified as the ligation group. A total of 21 patients (16 of the 23 and 5 out of the 8) were available for follow-up by using the abridged 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) scoring system and cavernosograms. In the ligation group, the imaging demonstrates some compensatory veins that are commensurate with impotence postoperatively. In the stripping group, however, the follow-up cavernosograms disclosed no venous recurrence, but residual ones that were not crucial to the rigidity. The IIEF-5 scoring in the ligation group changed from a preoperative mean IIEF-5 score of 10.0 +/- 4.5 to 9.8 +/- 3.6 postoperatively. In the stripping group, however, the mean preoperative IIEF-5 score of 9.8 +/- 4.1 increased to a mean postoperative IIEF-5 score of 18.9 +/- 2.1. Although there was no significant difference between the 2 groups' preoperative IIEF-5 score, there was a statistically significant difference between treatments (P <.001). The penile venous vasculature bears no evidence of regeneration even as long as 17 years after their removal. This finding is in contrast to what is commonly believed, that erectile dysfunction will recur about 2 years after ligation of the deep dorsal vein. We therefore believe that the clinical recurrence may not be due to venous regeneration, and penile venous surgery, if properly performed, may be durable, although larger studies will be required.

Distal ligament in human glans: a comparative study of penile architecture.

To elucidate the anatomic distal ligament of the human glans penis and associated clinical implications, we compared the structures of the glans penis and corpora cavernosa in dogs, rats, and humans. From May 2001 to March 2003, gross dissection, microscopic examinations, and stains for elastic fibers and collagen subtypes were made in the penises of 11 adult human male cadavers, 7 dogs, and 5 rats. A distal ligament in the human glans penis replaces the os penis that is present in dogs or rats, also termed the baculum, but retains collagen types I and III as common structural and interlocking components, respectively. The intercavernosal septum is complete, and intracavernosal pillars (ICPs) are abundant in dogs, absent in rats, and moderately developed in humans. A tunica with numerous elastic fibers exists to fulfill the requirements of erectile function in humans but not in dogs or rats, since it is essential for establishing tissue strength to serve as a buttress. We may conclude that in dogs and rats, the strong os penis is designed for ready intromission and is associated with a pair of well-developed nonelastic corpora to serve as a buttress for the os penis. These structures are necessary for the rigorous coitus observed in dogs. The less compliant corpus cavernosum is suitable for the flipping action observed in a mating male rat. These specific anatomic designs may provide explanations for the individual requirements for the specific physiologic functions that differ from species to species. Although there is no os in the human glans, a strong equivalent distal ligament is arranged centrally and acts as a supporting trunk for the glans penis. Without this important structure, the glans could be too weak to bear the buckling pressure generated during coitus and too limber to serve as a patent passage for ejaculation, and it could be too difficult to transmit the intracavernosal pressure surge along the entire penis during ejaculation. Given the common histologic nature of the distal ligament, which is associated with the tunica albuginea and serves a similar function as the os penis observed in the dog and the rat, one may ask whether the healing process of a tunica may take as long as that required in a bony structure. Further research is required to answer this question.

Outpatient varicocelectomy performed under local anesthesia.

AIM: To report a series of varicocelectomy performed under pure local anesthesia. METHODS: From July 1988 to June 2003, a total of 575 patients, aged between 15 and 73 years, underwent high ligation of the internal spermatic vein for treatment of a varicocele testis under a regional block in which a precise injection of 0.8 % lidocaine solution was delivered to involved tissues after exact anatomical references were made. A 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS) was used to assess whether the pain level was acceptable. RESULTS: The surgeries were bilateral in 52 cases, and unilateral in 523 cases. All were successfully performed on an outpatient basis except in the case of two patients, who were hospitalized because their surgeries required general anesthesia. Overall, 98.6 % (567/575) of men could go back to work by the end of the first post-operative week and only 8 (1.4 %) men reported feeling physical discomfort on the eighth day. The VAS scores varied from 11 mm to 41 mm with an average of (18.5+/-11.3) mm that was regarded as tolerable. CONCLUSION: This study has shown varicocelectomy under local anesthesia to be possible, simple, effective, reliable and reproducible, and a safe method with minimal complications. It offers the advantages of more privacy, lower morbidity, with no notable adverse effects resulting from anesthesia, and a more rapid return to regular physical activity with minor complications.

Does tunica anatomy matter in penile implant?

BACKGROUND: Overall prosthesis survival is important in penile implant, which remains the final viable solution to many patients with refractory erectile dysfunction (ED). This paper is to retrospectively study the role of the anatomy of tunica albuginea (TA). METHODS: From March 1987 to March 1991 while the TA was regarded as a circumferential single layer, 21 organically ED men, aged from 27 to 77, received penile prosthesis implantation and were allocated to conventional group. From August 1992 to March 2013 while the tip of Hegar's dilator was categorically directed medial-dorsally during corporal dilatation derived from newfound TA as a bi-layered structure with a 360° complete inner circular layer and a 300° incomplete outer longitudinal coat, 196 ED males, aged from 35 to 83, underwent penile implant and were categorized to advanced group. The model of prosthesis was recorded. Prosthesis loss rate and survival time were analyzed and the follow up period ranged from 22.4-26.4 (average 24.3) years and 0.4-20.6 (average 15.8) years to the conventional and advanced group respectively. RESULTS: To the conventional and advanced group, the number of inflatable and rigid type prosthesis used were 2, 19 and 15, 181 respectively, whereas the prosthesis loss was encountered in 50.0% (1/2), 15.8% (3/19) and 0.0% (0/15), 0.6% (1/181) respectively. And the prosthesis survival time were 5.1-6.3 (5.7) years, 1.3-26.4 (15.2) years and 6.1-16.2 (11.2) years, 0.4-20.6 (15.3) years to the conventional and advanced group respectively. Statistical significance was noted on prosthesis loss in groups (P=0.01) while the Mentor Acuform stood out in prosthesis survival. CONCLUSIONS: Anatomy-based managing maneuver appears to deliver better surgery success in penile implant. Tunica anatomy is significant in performing implant surgery.

Novel pilot films providing indispensable information in pharmaco-cavernosography.

BACKGROUND: Conventional pharmaco-cavernosography provides little information on penile venous anatomy, although it is indispensible in documenting veno-occlusive erectile dysfunction (ED). We propose an innovative method, which may provide additional insight into the penile venous structure. METHODS: From July 2010 to November 2012, 96 impotent men, aged 20 to 75 years, underwent this method of pharmaco-cavernosography in which two sets of 60 mL of 50% omnipaque solution administered intracavernously by themselves. The first set of pilot cavernosograms was taken at intervals of five, ten, twenty and thirty seconds after the commencement of the injection. The second set of cavernosograms was taken in the same intervals within 30 minutes following the pilot set, preceded by the injection of 20 µg prostaglandin E1 (PGE1). Analysis was conducted on the drainage veins including deep dorsal vein (DDV), cavernosal veins (CVs) and para-arterial veins (PAVs) accordingly. The veins demonstrated in the pilot cavernosograms, and the second set, were compared in terms of venous numbers and presentation percentage. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference (P<0.001) between the total number of independent venous drainage channels and the presentation percentage of DDV, CVs and PAVs observed in the pilot cavernosograms, and those in second set (4.5 vs. 2.1; 97.47%, 60.33%, and 38.91% vs. 57.06%, 29.34%, and 19.08%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with conventional pharmaco-cavernosography methods, pilot cavernosograms are readily able to show detailed penile venous anatomy. It is therefore may be concluded that pilot cavernosograms is a valuable addition to conventional protocols of pharmaco-cavernosography.

Tunical Outer Layer Plays an Essential Role in Penile Veno-occlusive Mechanism Evidenced from Electrocautery Effects to the Corpora Cavernosa in Defrosted Human Cadavers.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the exact anatomical structure for establishing penile veno-occlusive function, we sought to conduct a hemodynamic study on defrosted human cadavers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen penises were used for this experiment, and 11 intact penises were allocated into the electrocautery group (EG, n = 6) and the ligation group (LG, n = 5). A circumcision was made on the penis to access the veins. Two #19 scalp needles were fixed in the 3 and 9 o'clock positions in the distal penis for colloid infusion and intracavernous pressure (ICP) monitoring, respectively. For the EG, the deep dorsal vein and cavernosal vein trunks were freed for 3-5 cm where at least 3 emissary veins were identified via opening Buck's fascia; these veins underwent electrocautery at 45 watts, while the ICP was maintained at 0, 50, 75, 100, 125, and 150 mmHg, respectively. For control, venous ligation was made but at the ICP of 150 mmHg. A tissue block including the emissary vein was then obtained for histological analysis. RESULTS: Except all in the EG and those whose ICP exceed 125 mmHg in the EG, the sinusoids of the corpora cavernosa sustained varied fulgurated fibrosis in every specimen and the severity appeared reversely commensurate with the ICP regarding sinusoidal clumping and darkish bands (P <.02 and .01 respectively). CONCLUSION: We conclude that the tunica albuginea can prevent the electrocautery damage to intracavernous sinusoids once the ICP reached a level corresponding to a rigid erection. The outer tunica plays an essential role in fulfilling the veno-occlusive mechanism.

Outpatient surgery for penile venous patch with the patient under local anesthesia.

Although local anesthesia for penile surgery has been widely reported, its application for penile venous patch, however, has not been published. We evaluated an anesthetic and surgical technique on an outpatient basis. From March 1993 to September 2001, a total of 29 men with penile deformity, aged 27 to 77 years (mean 55 years) received a penile venous patch for morphologic correction. They received autologous grafting of the deep dorsal vein under local anesthesia as an outpatient procedure. The anesthetic effect and postoperative results were satisfactory. The average available area of the deep dorsal vein was 5.7 x 2.5 cm(2). The common immediate side effects included puncture of the vessels, subcutaneous ecchymosis, and transient palpitation, but there were no significant late complications. All patients returned home uneventfully. This has been proven to be a cost-effective, simple, and safe method with fewer complications. It offers the advantages of lower morbidity, protection of privacy, fewer adverse effects of anesthesia, and a more rapid return to activity with minimal complications.

Anatomy of the human penis: the relationship of the architecture between skeletal and smooth muscles.

To investigate the anatomy of the ischiocavernosus muscle, bulbospongiosus muscle, and tunica albuginea and to determine their relationships to smooth muscle, which is a key element of penile sinusoids, we performed cadaveric dissection and histologic examinations of 35 adult human male cadavers. The tunica of the corpora cavernosa is a bilayered structure that can be divided into an inner circular layer and an outer longitudinal layer. The outer longitudinal layer is an incomplete coat that is absent between the 5-o'clock and 7-o'clock positions where 2 triangular ligamentous structures form. These structures, termed the ventral thickening, are a continuation of the anterior fibers of the left and right bulbospongiosus muscles. On the dorsal aspect, between the 1-o'clock and 11-o'clock positions, is a region called the dorsal thickening, a radiating aspect of the bilateral ischiocavernosus muscles. In the corpora cavernosa, skeletal muscle contains and supports smooth muscle, which is an essential element in the sinusoids. This relationship plays an important part in the blood vessels' ability to supply the blood to meet the requirements for erection, whereas in the corpus spongiosum, skeletal muscle partially entraps the smooth muscle to allow ejaculation when erect. In the glans penis, however, the distal ligament, a continuation of the outer longitudinal layer of the tunica, is arranged centrally and acts as a trunk of the glans penis. Without this strong ligament, the glans would be too weak to bear the buckling pressure generated during coitus. A significant difference exists in the thickness of the dorsal thickening, the ventral thickening, and the distal ligament between the potent and impotent groups (P < or =.01). Together, the anatomic relationships between skeletal muscle and smooth muscle within the human penis explain many physiologic phenomena, such as erection, ejaculation, the intracavernous pressure surge during ejaculation, and the pull-back force against the glans penis during anal constriction. This improvement in the modeling of the anatomic-physiologic relationship between these structures has clinical implications for penile surgeries.

The effect of electrocoagulation on the sinusoids in the human penis.

We give an overview of patients who have undergone removal of the deep dorsal vein for venous grafting in treating Peyronie disease with or without a Bovie effect. From June 1998 to May 2002, 23 men received grafting of the deep dorsal vein for morphologic correction. Among them, 7 men underwent electrocoagulation treatment of bleeders per surgeons' customary practice during the entire procedure and were categorized as the electrocoagulation group. Sixteen patients received simple ligation of bleeding stumps, with 6-0 nylon sutures, and were classified as the ligation group. All were followed for satisfaction of penile morphology and assessed by the abridged 5-item version of the international index of erectile function (IIEF-5) scoring for erectile capability. In the electrocoagulation group, a mean preoperative IIEF-5 score of 22.5 +/- 1.6 decreased to a mean postoperative IIEF-5 score of 17.9 +/- 4.1. Among them 2 men (28.6%) had sustained postoperative infection. Follow-up cavernosograms showing relatively poor filling are commensurate with intracavernosal fibrosis. In the ligation group, however, the mean IIEF-5 score was 22.3 +/- 1.9 preoperative and 22.9 +/- 2.0 postoperative. Although there was no statistical significance between the 2 groups in preoperative IIEF scores, there was a significant difference between groups postoperatively. Application of electrocoagulation appears to be disadvantageous in preserving erectile tissues. A Bovie effect should be avoided in this erectile organ in order to preserve erectile capability and avoid infection.

Penile venous anatomy: an additional description and its clinical implication.

The human penile venous system has been well studied and described but the demonstration of extra venous channels in imaging films prompted us to seek refinement of our anatomical knowledge of this venous system. Cavernosography in 37 patients who had venous stripping surgery and now suffered recurrent erectile dysfunction consistently showed an independent vein, smaller than the deep dorsal vein, running almost in the same position of the deep dorsal vein even though the latter had been removed unequivocally in previous surgery. Cavernosography in 9 patients who underwent intraoperative films also demonstrated the presence of this cavernosal vein in addition to the deep dorsal vein. Meticulous dissection of the penis under the microscope was then performed in 21 male cadavers and we found a cavernosal vein coursing along each corpus cavernosum all the way distally to the glans and draining directly into the Santorini's plexus in 19 subjects. This is in contrast to the previous description that this cavernosal vein was a short vein in the penile hilum. Two sets of para-arterial veins, which have not been reported in the literature, were found to accompany each dorsal artery in all 21 subjects. This more extensive and extra venous drainage might have important implication for venous stripping surgery in the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Penile venous anatomy: application to surgery for erectile disturbance.

AIM: The structure of the human penile venous system has been well studied, but disappointing outcomes of penile venous surgery in certain patients have called into question on the anatomy. We planned to extend the anatomic knowledge with the ultimate goal of improving operative success. METHODS: Thirty-five patients, who had undergone penile venous surgery, complained of poor erection developed gradually 6 months to 7 years postoperatively. Cavernosography was performed again during their return visit. Seven new patients underwent spongiosography followed by immediate cavernosography. Eleven male cadavers were carefully dissected. The anatomical findings were applied to venous surgery in 155 patients, who were then followed with the International Index of Erectile Function Questionnaire-5 (IIEF-5). RESULTS: Imaging observation demonstrated that the deep dorsal vein served as a common vessel of the corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum. A prominent cavernosal vein was found coursing along each corpus cavernosum distally to the glans, in contrast to its reported description as a short segment at the penile hilum. All cadavers had two sets of para-arterial veins sandwiching the dorsal artery. In 148 men available for follow-up, their mean IIEF-5 score was 9.3 preoperative and increased to 22.7 after the operation. The 88.5% (131/148) of the patients believed that venous stripping was a worthy treatment modality. Five cases required sildenafil to maintain their potentia, which was not working preoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The failure of penile venous surgery has traditionally been ascribed to penile vein regeneration. However, our finding of a long and independent cavernosal vein and an independent set of para-arterial veins may be the principal cause in patients experiencing poor postoperative results.