Comparative outcomes and patient satisfaction rates of three tunical shortening techniques used for the correction of penile curvatures: A retrospective, single-center study.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to compare clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction rates after application of three different tunical shortening techniques: Yachia corporoplasty, Nesbit corporoplasty, and 16-dot plication in patients undergoing surgery for congenital and acquired penile curvatures.

Methods: The postoperative outcomes of 68 patients who underwent penile curvature repair using one of three different surgical techniques between 2010 and 2023 and had been followed up for at least one year were retrospectively evaluated. Complications (if any) (penile shortening, loss of penile sensation, recurrence, presence of nodules, painful erection) and surgical satisfaction levels were assessed through medical records and telephone interviews.

Results: The mean age of the patients included in the study was 37.34±16.81 years. Yachia corporoplasty was performed in 27 (39.70%), Nesbit corporoplasty in 15 (22.06%), and 16-dot penile plication in 26 (38.24%) patients. There was no difference between the techniques in terms of surgical complications, such as shortening of penile length (p=0.096), loss of penile sensation (p=0.892), recurrence (p=0.302), and presence of nodules at the operation site (p=0.239), while painful erection was most common in the Nesbit corporoplasty group (n=5, 33.33%) (p=0.020). Postoperative dissatisfaction rate was highest in the 16-dot penile plication group (n=6, 23.07%) (p=0.557). There was a negative correlation between satisfaction level and recurrence in the 16-dot penile plication and corporoplasty groups (r=-0.516, p=0.006; r=-0.659, p<0.001, respectively). In addition, a negative correlation was observed between satisfaction levels, shortening of penile length, and presence of nodules in the corporoplasty group (r=-0.482, p=0.001; r=-0.320, p=0.044, respectively).

Conclusions: In patients who underwent penile curvature surgery using penile shortening techniques, low complication and high satisfaction rates were observed in all three corporoplasty techniques. Recurrence, presence of palpable nodule(s), and shortening of penile length are important parameters affecting the level of satisfaction.