Pilot study of changes in stretched penile length 3 months after radical retropubic prostatectomy

Objectives. To evaluate changes in stretched penile length after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) in a prospective penile measurement study because an occasional complaint from patients after RRP is that their penis is shortened. Methods. Thirty-one patients undergoing RRP by one surgeon were...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Urology (Ridgewood, N.J.) N.J.), 2001-10, Vol.58 (4), p.567-569
Main Authors: Munding, Matthew D, Wessells, Hunter B, Dalkin, Bruce L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Follow-Up Studies
Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics
Humans
Male
Male genital diseases
Medical sciences
Non tumoral diseases
Penile Erection
Penis - pathology
Pilot Projects
Prostatectomy - adverse effects
Reproducibility of Results
Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases
Surgery of the genital tract and mammary gland
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Summary:Objectives. To evaluate changes in stretched penile length after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) in a prospective penile measurement study because an occasional complaint from patients after RRP is that their penis is shortened. Methods. Thirty-one patients undergoing RRP by one surgeon were enrolled. The same physician completed measurements with a paper ruler to the nearest 0.5 cm. The stretched penile length was measured from the tip of the glans to the pubopenile skin junction. The measurements were taken in the preoperative holding area before the patient received anesthetic medication for the RRP and again 3 months postoperatively. The reliability and reproducibility of this measurement were confirmed. Results. All 31 patients were measured at 3 months postoperatively. Of the 31 patients, 22 (71%) had a decrease in stretched penile length (range 0.5 to 4.0 cm). Seven were shortened 0.5 cm, 11 were shortened 1.0 to 2.0 cm, and 4 were shortened more than 2.0 cm. Five patients had no change, and in four the penile length was longer (range 0.5 to 1.0 cm). Conclusions. The results of this pilot study appear to show that the stretched penile length decreases after RRP at 3 months of follow-up in most men; 48% (15 of 31) had considerable shortening greater than 1.0 cm. If confirmed by other investigators, the cause of this change needs to be elucidated.
ISSN:0090-4295
1527-9995
DOI:10.1016/S0090-4295(01)01270-5