Penile shortening complaints in males with erectile dysfunction: a narrative review on penile lengthening procedures during penile prosthesis surgery

Abstract

Patients complaining of short penile length pose a challenge in urology practice. Those men who present seeking penile lengthening surgery usually overestimate 'normal' penile length, and may in often cases relate their penile length with the degree of masculinity and self-esteem. Penile prosthetic devices are the gold standard treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) after failure of conservative options. Penile shortening is the most prevalent long-term complaint after successful inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) placement. This has a significant impact on patient’s overall satisfaction and quality of life. Using PubMed, we performed a thorough literature review of the current procedures of preservation or enhancement of penile length as well as reported perioperative protocols in patients undergoing penile prosthesis (PP) insertion. Keywords used were “penile lengthening”, “penile enhancement”, “penile girth”, “inflatable penile prosthesis” and “glans augmentation”. Several surgical techniques can be offered in the setting of penile shortening concurrently with PP insertion, e.g., sub-coronal approach of PP placement, sliding technique, modified sliding technique (MoST), multiple-slide technique (MuST), and tunica mesh expansion procedure (TMEP). Adjuvant techniques can also improve subjective penile length include, ventral phalloplasty, suprapubic lipectomy, suspensory ligament release and use of expanding penile implants. Preoperative protocols including use of a vacuum erectile device, traction therapy also seem to improve postoperative outcomes, minimizing postoperative pain, and encouraging the early device use. Currently, there is no consensus among experts on a particular lengthening procedure or when they can be performed to optimize outcomes. Furthermore, it is imperative to set proper expectations before surgery, with extensive patient and partner counseling. When used in the properly selected patient, penile lengthening procedures show promising results with minimal complication rates.

Introduction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as the chronic inability to achieve or sustain a penile erection and is deemed one of the most common medical conditions in men (i.e., 50% of men >70 years) (1). Sexual health plays a substantial role not only in the individuals’ quality of life but also their partners’ emotional, mental and physical well-being (2). Given the close relation between psychological and physiological factors in the setting of ED, the American Urological Association (AUA) guidelines suggest referral to a mental health professional to ensure treatment adherence and reduction of performance anxiety (3). After failure of conservative treatment options of ED, penile prosthetic devices have been the gold standard treatment that include the malleable penile prosthesis (MPP), a two-piece or a three-piece inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) (4). The IPP have been available and periodically advanced since first introduced by Scott et al. in 1973 (5).

Most men seeking penile lengthening surgery usually overestimate “normal” penile length and relate their penile length with their degree of masculinity and self-esteem (6). Patients with penile shortening complaints without ED are common at the urologist’s office, and represent a challenging dilemma in the practice. In this article, we aimed to address structural and anatomical conditions that can contribute to objective penile shortening.

The penile prosthesis (PP) surgery itself is reported, as a common cause of complaint of subjective loss of penile length. Studies showed that PP insertion did not change the stretched penile length, which is shorter than the normal erect length, but the loss of glanular engorgement is appointed by some studies as the cause of the patient’s complaints of subjective penile shortening, leading to emotional distress and patient’s dissatisfaction (7,8).

Several medical conditions that may cause actual penile shortening can also be associated with ED, e.g., Peyronie’s disease (PD), recurrent priapism with corporal fibrosis, prostate cancer with its various treatment modalities such as radical prostatectomy, radiation therapy, and androgen deprivation therapy (9-11). Several literature research correlated decreased penile length and girth with higher rates of dissatisfaction, and impairment in the quality of life of the patients (12). However, PD with associated ED is the only actual scenario into which penile lengthening procedures (PLP) are currently accepted as an option of treatment (13).

In this article, we review different techniques of restoration and enhancement of penile length in the setting of PP insertion using MPP or IPP, reported in the literature. We also suggest the adoption of a new unified terminology to describe accurately the PLP goals.

We present the following article in accordance with the Narrative Review reporting checklist (available at http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/tau-21-27).

Concept of penile lengthening

The concept of penile lengthening in the literature is confusing. It includes a myriad of procedures that actually don’t increase the corpora cavernosa length. The term of penile lengthening surgery was initially used in surgeries to correct PD, where grafts were used to equalize the shortened side of corpus cavernosum with the longer one. However, these procedures in fact do not really increase the total length of corpora cavernosa but equalize the shortened side with longer one (14).

In this article, we describe the procedures available in the literature on penile lengthening and propose a new classification that distinguishes the procedures by their aim.

In our classification, the term PLP is reserved for surgeries that offer real increase in the total corpora cavernosa length. When the surgeries aim to equalize the short side of corpora cavernosa with the long side without real increasing (elongation) of the total length we classified them as penile restoration procedures (PRP). If no incision is made into the corpora cavernosa, i.e., there is no real anatomical change in the size of the corpora and offering only a cosmetic perception of increased penile length, we classified it as visual penile lengthening procedures (VPLP).

The PLP, however, can only be performed in patients that already have ED, since the damage of the penile sinusoidal architecture caused by tunical lengthening is extensive enough to hinder a physiological erection and consequently a PP implantation is mandatory. The major limitation of lengthening gain is the distensibility of neurovascular bundle (NVB), which must be dorsally dissected and separated from the corpora cavernosa during all PLP.

PLP

Several surgical techniques have been reported to enhance penile length during placement of PP. A brief comparison of these techniques with a summary of outcomes is shown in Table 1.

Table 1. Comparison between reported studies utilizing different techniques of penile lengthening.

Technique	Study	Patients, n	Average gained length (cm)	Follow-up period (mo)	Patient satisfaction
Circumferential grafting	Sansalone et al. 2012	23	2.8 (2.2–4.5)	22	90% were satisfied with the cosmetic and functional result of surgery
Sliding technique	Rolle et al. 2012	3	3.2	13	Average IIEF score is 60
	Rolle et al. 2016	28	3.2	37	Progressive improvement in IIEF and EDITS
MoST	Egydio and Kuehhas 2015	143	3.1	9.7	IIEF increased from 24 to 60 points at 6 months
MuST	Egydio and Kuehhas 2018	138	3.1 (2.0–5.0)	15.2	IIEF increased from 22 to 66 points at 6 months
TMEP	Egydio 2020	416	3.3 (2.0–6.0)	36	IIEF increased from 21 to 68 points at 6 months

MoST, modified sliding technique; MuST, multiple-slit technique; EDITS, erectile dysfunction inventory of treatment satisfaction; IIEF, International Index of Erectile Function; TEMP, tunica mesh expansion procedure.

Circumferential grafting

In 2012, Sansalone et al. published a study on 23 patients with PD and ED with severe penile shortening. The surgical technique involves subcoronal penile degloving, elevation of the NVB and ventral urethral dissection. After induced erection is performed, a bisector line is incised circumferentially in the tunica albuginea at the area of maximum curvature (Figure 1). The PP is inserted, and the exposed area is covered with a graft. The authors reported a mean of 2.8-cm gain in penile length. The complications were decreased glans sensitivity (20%) and residual curvature (15%). The overall patient satisfaction rate was 90% (15).

Figure 1.

Circumferential grafting procedure. (A) After dissection of urethra and NVB, an artificial erection is induced and the curvature axis are marked. (B) A bisection line is traced dividing the curvature angle. (C) The penis is stretched, and the penile curvature is corrected exposing the corpus cavernosum sinusoids. (D) After the PP is implanted, the exposed area is covered with a graft and the urethra and NVB are replaced at the anatomical position. NVB, neurovascular bundle; PP, penile prosthesis.

Sliding technique

In 2012, Rolle et al. first described the sliding technique in a small series to achieve penile lengthening in patients with PD associated with severe penile shortening (14). Using a subcoronal incision to deglove the penis, the NVB is dissected and raised off the entire penile shaft. Similarly, the urethra is dissected and separated from the corpora cavernosa. A couple of lateral longitudinal incisions of approximately 4-cm length are made at 3 and 9 o’clock of the corporal bodies bilaterally. Then, a semicircular proximal incision is made dorsally and a similar distal incision is made ventrally connecting the two longitudinal incisions. Gentle traction on the glans is placed to allow for penile lengthening which will result in two rectangular defects. The longitudinal incisions are secured with absorbable sutures and the defects are covered with porcine small intestinal submucosal grafts (Figure 2). A PP was placed through the proximal incision by the standard approach and a drain was left before closure. In Rolle et al. study, no major complications or bleeding were recorded and the average increase in penile length obtained was 3.2 cm (14). In a larger cohort of 28 patients using both porcine small intestinal submucosa and acellular porcine dermal matrix to cover the tunical defects, one patient on anticoagulation therapy had a profuse bleeding that required blood transfusion. Another patient had PP infection that required removal of the device (16).

Figure 2.

Penile lengthening procedures. (A) Sliding technique: two long tunica albuginea semi-circumferential defects covered by grafts (grafts in yellow); (B) modified sliding technique (MoST): two long tunica albuginea semi-circumferential defects covered with the dartos fascia (no grafts); (C) multiple sliding technique (MuST) 6 small tunica albuginea semi-circumferential defects covered with the dartos fascia; (D) expansion: Twelve non continuous small ¼ of circumference defects covered with the dartos fascia (no grafts).

Wilson et al. described a series of glans necrosis following PP implantation in 21 patients. Among 7 (33%) patients, sliding technique was utilized with extensive mobilization of urethra. The authors have anecdotally referred this to the compromise of the distal penile circulation that might be associated with the extensive dissection of the urethra and NVB. However, owing to the nature of the study and collection of data, considering sliding technique as a risk factor could not be assessed (17).

Modified sliding technique (MoST)

The MoST was described by Egydio and Kuehhas and is a modification of the sliding technique (18). Using the subcoronal incision, the usual dissection and separation of the Buck’s fascia and the urethra is done. The corpora cavernosa incisions were the same as in the sliding technique, however, the ventral semicircular incision (from 3 to 9 o’clock) was done 2 cm proximal to the coronal sulcus and the dorsal incision 1–2 cm was distal to the penoscrotal junction. PP was placed through the two separate corporotomies that were created proximal to the dorsal semilunar incision. The major modification is foregoing placement of grafts at the sites of tunical defects. The proximal defect is covered by Buck’s fascia and the distal one is covered by cavernous tissue and urethra (Figure 2). Results of MoST on 143 patients with median follow-up of 9.7 months showed that the mean increase of penile length was 3.1 cm (range, 2–7 cm) with no recorded PP infection (18).

Multiple-slit technique (MuST)

The MuST technique is a further variation of MoST and was introduced in 2016 (19) and modified in 2018 (20). The major difference in MuST is using multiple pairs of dorsal and ventral semicircular incisions along the penile shaft instead of a single incision on each surface. This results in multiple small tunical defects that don’t need covering by grafts (Figure 2).

This technique was implemented on 138 patients (103 had MPP and 35 had IPP) with median follow-up of 15.2 months. Results demonstrated 3.1 cm (range, 2–5 cm) of mean penile length increase. One case of glans necrosis was reported with no PP infection (20).

Expansion technique

One of the authors (M.A.) used flexible 3D printed models to analyze different ways of tunica incision and expansion. The technique was then applied in surgical correction of PD and ED associated with penile shortening (Figure 3A,B,C,D,E,F).

Figure 3.

Case presentation. (A) Peri-operative artificial erection; (B) semi-degloved penis with the expansion technique landmarks drawn; (C) intraoperative picture after correction with the expansion technique; (D) preoperative artificial erection; (E,F) IPP implantation with expansion technique with 3-month outcome; (G,H,I) suprapubic dermolipectomy. IPP, inflatable penile prosthesis.

Tunica mesh expansion procedure (TMEP)

TMEP is an innovative non-grafting technique that is proposed to achieve penile lengthening without the resultant large tunica defects (21). In 2018, Garaffa et al. published a video showing the use of TMEP. After penile degloving and dissection of the NVB and urethra, a three-piece IPP was then inserted though the same approach. The cylinders have been intentionally upsized of 2 cm from the original corporal measurements. The tunica albuginea was then expanded in girth and length by performing multiple small incisions in a mesh pattern until satisfactory curvature correction is achieved and adequate girth and length are restored. As all tunical incisions were less than 1 cm in length, the risk of aneurysm of the cylinders was minimal and therefore grafting of the defect was not necessary (22). In 2020, Egydio described the TMEP in his report on 416 patients (23). Unlike Garaffa, he did not perform any urethral separation as corpus spongiosum provides adequate elasticity and the main limitation is thought to be the length of the NVB.

The TMEP allows for tissue expansion and eliminates cylinder bulging and indentations while maintaining corporal strength. In Egydio report, the estimated intraoperative penile length gain was 3.3 cm (range, 2–6 cm). Reported complications were postoperative hematoma (20%), temporary partial glans numbness (3.8%), temporary anorgasmia (7%) and PP infection in one patient (0.24%) (23).

Expanding penile implants

Length and girth expanding penile implants have been available on the market since 1990 and they can provide 1–2 cm of additional length mostly in men in normal straight penises (24). AMS 700 Ultrex^® (American Medical Systems, Minnetonka, Minnesota, USA) was the most commonly used and provided up to 20% penile length expansion. However, a high rate of S-shape deformity and cylinder failure rate were reported following placement (25). The latter assumed to be caused of tearing of the bi-directional middle fabric weave of the cylinder. Subsequently, a new design was introduced in 1993 and showed significantly decreased rates of cylinder failure compared to the pre-modification device (26). More recent the AMS 700 LGX prosthesis seems to increase 0.6 cm of penile length at 6 months, due to its capacity to increase girth and length during inflation (27).

VPLP

VPLP techniques do not elongate the corpora cavernosa size, but rather provide the illusion of a more elongated penile shaft (Table 2).

Table 2. Comparison between selected studies utilizing different techniques of visual penile lengthening procedures.

Technique	Study	Patients, n	Outcomes	Follow-up period	Complications
Ventral phalloscrotoplasty	Miranda-Sousa et al. 2007	43	84% of patients reported subjective increased length	17 months	wound hematoma [2/43] and focal superficial wound dehiscence [3/43]
Suprapubic lipectomy	Baumgarten et al. 2019	8	Patients reported excellent cosmetic and functional outcomes	256 days	Prosthetic infection [1/8] after inadvertent early removal of drain
Suspensory ligament release after IPP insertion	Borges et al. 2006	303	93% reported satisfaction with IPP performance and penile length	n/a	Ejaculation difficulty (4%), infection (2%) and hematoma (1.3%)

IPP, inflatable penile prosthesis.

Ventral phalloscrotoplasty

Ventral phalloscrotoplasty is a technique that can be utilized to provide a perceived increased length especially in cases of high insertion of the penoscrotal junction at the penile shaft. This technique can also be used simultaneously during PP placement. The incision starts from the ventral surface of the proximal penile shaft and extends to the anterior scrotum. A wedge-shaped skin segment is incised at the penoscrotal junction, and then the resulted diamond-shaped defect is closed along the penile shaft using absorbable interrupted sutures (28).

In Miranda-Sousa et al. study on 43 patients who had ventral phalloscrotoplasty concomitantly with PP placement, 98% of patients reported good satisfaction of the surgical procedure and 84% reported increased in penile length (29).

Suprapubic lipectomy

Patients with excess suprapubic fat pad because of weight gain may complain of shortened penile length which is buried underneath the suprapubic fat. Horton et al. first described the surgical technique for the buried penis, which included excision of the suprapubic fat and securing the suprapubic skin to the rectus fascia (30). Lately, Hakky et al. reported a technique that included panniculectomy with suction-assisted lipectomy and anchoring of herniated pubic skin to the abdominal wall (31). Most recently, two studies; Shaeer et al. and Shah et al. described the technique of the suprapubic lipectomy that can be utilized simultaneously with PP surgery with good postoperative outcomes (Figure 3G,H,I) (32,33).

Suspensory ligament release

The suspensory ligament arises from the linea alba and provides dorsal support and stabilization of an erection by attaching midline to the penile root. Surgeries to release the suspensory ligament can be performed with either suprapubic lipectomy or with PP placement. Notably, it is usually combined with a V-Y skin plasty (34). The suspensory ligament tends to reattach after being incised, so it is important for patients to wear stretch or weight devices to prevent such event. Placement of a silicone buffer as a spacer can be utilized as well. One disadvantage of this technique is the potential ventral change in penis direction during erection. Borges et al. performed a study on 303 patients who underwent release of suspensory ligament after PP insertion, results showed that 93% of patients reported satisfaction with device performance, and penile length (35).

Penile girth expansion (PGE) procedures

Several strategies for PGE are available; however, there is an obvious lack of clinical recommendations and robust literature that adequately describe indications or strategies primarily for penile girth enlargement (36). The role of medical therapy with oral phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor in PGE has not been sufficiently studied. Whereas, vacuum devices and traction therapy didn’t seem to provide increase in penile girth in the reported studies (37).

Penile injection therapy with several materials has been described. The most common of which are autologous fat injection, liquid injectable silicone, and cosmetic soft tissue filler such as hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite, collagen, polymethyl-methacrylate microspheres (PMMA) (38-40). Generally, these types of injections offer mixed satisfaction results, with some reported serious adverse effects such fat and silicone embolism and diffuse penile fibrosis. Prospective long-term studies are warranted, thus, utilizing these products in the context of PGE should be considered off-label and approached with caution.

Dermal fat graft has been described by Spyropoulos et al. in 4 patients. Results showed mean girth gain of 2.3 cm at the base and 2.6 cm at the corona. However, there were reported complications such as paraphimosis, pain on erection and penile curvature because of graft sclerosis (41). Also, porcine dermal acellular matrix graft was reported on 69 patients with satisfactory results (42). Additionally, corporoplastic phalloplasty by using bilateral corporal venous grafts was described by Austoni et al. on 39 patients. Results showed average increase of erect penile diameter of 1.36 cm at 9 months follow-up. No obvious penile girth increase was reported in the flaccid state (43).

Case presentation

The patient presented is a 57-year-old gentleman who presented with complains of ED, PD and penile shortening. On physical exam he had a partially concealed penis due to suprapubic panniculus (SPP), and penile shortening. The flaccid penile length under maximum stretching was 9 cm. The patient estimated a loss of 5 cm of his penile length.

Penile erection was induced with 40 micrograms of Alprostadil. We noticed a multiplanar curvature; dorsal and lateral to the left (70° and 50°, respectively). After extensive patient education, where the expectations of size gain, risks and potential benefits were discussed, we offered him a two-stage procedure: panniculectomy (VPLP) followed by implantation of PP after 3 months using the expansion technique to give him a maximum gain in length (Figure 3).

After the dermolipectomy was performed, 1 cm of penis was exposed, giving to the patient the visual gain in the penile length. Three months later, the PP insertion concomitantly with PLP was performed where an additional 3 cm of penile length was gained. Postoperatively, the patient experienced glanular numbness for 6 weeks and was able to resume sexual activity 2 months after the second surgery. At 6-month follow-up, the patient returned to clinic reporting excellent satisfaction with the results.

Discussion

The only current indication for PLP in adults is the presence of PD, and even in those cases, there is no consensus on the optimal procedure among the experts (42). A confounding factor in the literature is the poor definition of what is called PLP. Grafting procedures used to correct PD only equalize the short with the long side of corpora cavernosum length, e.g., H incision and Double Y. PLP provide a real length extension of the corpora cavernosum length such as circumferential grafting, sliding technique and TMEP. Other procedures such as suprapubic lipectomy, ventral phalloscrotoplasty and suspensory ligament release can only provide a visual illusion of penile elongation. Currently medical literature classifies all these procedures as PLP even though not all of them they do not increase the corpora cavernosa length for real.

To unify the terminology, the procedures should be named by their actual aim in increase the corpora cavernosa length as discussed earlier (Table 3). PRP refer to techniques that aim to equalize a corpora cavernosa asymmetry, like in procedures of PD. These procedures include plaque incision or partial plaque excision and grafting at the area of maximum deformity. There are different types of grafts that can be used such as synthetic, autologous, and allografts. Graft material is sized to the resulted defect and sutured in place. These procedures are associated with a high risk of ED with reported rate of 5–54% (44).

Table 3. New classification of penile lengthening techniques according to length extension.

Type	Aim	Examples
Penile lengthening procedures (PLP)	Increases the penile size by increasing the corpora cavernosal length	Circumferential grafting, sliding technique, MoST, MuST, and tunica mesh expansion procedure
Visual penile lengthening procedure (VPLP)	Increases penile size perception without real increase of the corpora cavernosa size	Ventral phalloscrotoplasty, suprapubic lipectomy, and suspensory ligament release
Penile restoration procedures (PRP)	Equalizes the shorter side of the penis with the longer side	Graft surgeries for PD except complete circumferential grafting

MoST, modified sliding technique; MuST, multiple-slit technique; PD, Peyronie’s disease.

Since 2012, there has been an increasing number of studies addressing PLP, reflecting the evolving interest of both physicians and patients in those procedures, with trend toward less invasive interventions. The techniques moved from large corporal defects with or without graft (14,18,20) to small defects using the skin graft mesh principle (22,23). It seems that the future direction is for a minimally invasive solution to penile girth and length augmentation.

To date, there is no consensus among experts on a particular PLP that would lead to the optimal outcome. In the same context, wise patient selection and setting short- and long-term realistic expectations are substantial prior to electing a procedure rather than the other. Preoperative discussions and tracking of patient’s previous visits and surgeries can reveal more generalized psychiatric problems such as body dysmorphic disorder, in this case, involvement of a mental health specialist would be of great value (45).

Adequate patient education on other factors that may limit the expected outcome of the lengthening procedure should be emphasized. These limitations include the NVB length and preexisted medical conditions that affect microcirculation such as diabetes mellitus and peripheral vasculopathy. Also, higher rates of infection have been reported in some series of PLP which may be referred to the extensive dissection and reconstruction performed in these techniques compared with the exclusive PP insertion. Nevertheless, advancements of surgical technique, shorter operative time, use of coated implants and no-touch technique could further decrease infection rates (46). Thus, these procedures should be performed only by surgeons with extensive experience.

This review is not without limitations. Owing to the limited number of patients in the reported studies, the retrospective nature and the fact that several studies reported subjective penile length outcomes, robust statistical analysis of the results was limited.

Conclusions

Several conditions associated with significant penile length loss and ED creates tremendous negative impact on patients’ emotional and psychological wellbeing. Several PLP can be performed concurrently with PP insertion in patients with severe ED and penile shortening. Owing to the technical complexity of these surgeries, they should be performed by surgeons with adequate experience. The use of less complex procedures such as ventral phalloscrotoplasty, suprapubic lipectomy can also provide satisfactory results even when used alone. Proper patient selection, extensive education and setting realistic expectations are essential to prevent patient dissatisfaction postoperatively. Penile length enhancement can only be achieved by the longitudinal increase of the corpora cavernosa during PP implantation. These procedures were reported to improve patient satisfaction with promising results. Future research is needed to identify the role of those techniques, their typical candidates, and how much length gain the patients can safely expect from them.

Supplementary

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Ethical Statement: The authors are accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.