Corporal plication for penile curvature caused by Peyronie's disease: the patients' perspective

Objective To determine the acceptability by patients of corporal plication for Peyronie's disease. Patients and methods A postal questionnaire was sent to 69 patients who had undergone corporal plication for Peyronie's disease between 1992 and 1999, to ascertain the subjective outcome and acceptance by the patients and the ir sexual partners of the results of the procedure. Of the 65 patients who were still alive, 44 (68%) returned the questionnaire. Results The mean (range) follow-up was 4.1 (0.5-7.25) years and the mean ag e of the patients 54.6 (32-80) years. Of the 44 patients responding, 24 (55 %) were sexually active; after surgery, 16 (36%) had significant impairment of erections, seven (16%) continued to have significant penile discomfort and 15 (34%) could feel nodules at the suture site. Twenty-five (57%) patie nts reported a mild and six (14%) a severe persistent penile deformity; 40 (90%) reported having a shorter penis, of whom 22 (55%) thought it signific ant. Overall, 14 (32%) reported 'numbness' of the glans penis. Only 23 (52% ) of the patients would recommend the surgery, with 25 (57%) reporting a de terioration in their overall quality of life. Of the partners of the evalua ble patients, 38 (86%) responded, and a significant deterioration in sexual performance was reported by 19 (35%). Conclusions Overall, the long-term results of corporal plication appear to be disappointing. These poor results could be related to a current lack of understanding of the natural history and progression of the disease, to cas e selection, or to the surgery. We intend to use these results to counsel o ur patients before such surgery and inform them of the possible outcome in the long term.