Emre Akkus

Is colchicine effective in Peyronie'sdisease? A pilot study

OBJECTIVES The treatment of Peyronies disease with oral or topical agents has not been entirely satisfactory. In this pilot study, we hypothesized that colchicine, known to induce collagenase activity and decrease collagen synthesis, might be an ideal agent in the treatment of Peyronies disease. METHODS Colchicine was administered orally for 3 to 5 months to a group of 24 previously untreated patients with Peyronies disease. RESULTS Peyronies plaque decreased or disappeared in 12 of the 24 patients, 7 of 9 patients with painful erections reported significant relief, and penile curvature was improved in 7 of 19 cases. Erectile status, narrowing of the penis, and accompanying Dupuytrens contracture did not change in any of the cases. CONCLUSIONS Although this pilot study shows some promising results of the use of colchicine in the treatment of Peyronies disease, the ultimate usefulness of this agent will be determined only by a prospective double-blind clinical study.

Incision and Venous Patch Graft in the Surgical Treatment of Penile Curvature in Peyronie’s Disease

Objectives: To assess the efficacy of incision and venous patch grafting method in the surgical treatment of the curvature in Peyronie’s disease. Methods: Fifty–eight patients with Peyronie’s disease underwent incision of the tunica albuginea with Peyronie’s plaque(s) and venous patch grafting between 1994 and 1999. Segment(s) of lower saphenous vein in 48, deep dorsal vein in 7, and upper saphenous veins were used in 3 cases as venous patch(es). Assessment of the potency status, curvature, and vascular structure were performed pre–operatively with detailed history, counselling, autophotography, and color Doppler ultrasonography. Realistic expectations from the surgery was discussed with the patients in advance. Postoperative evaluation was performed at least twice, in the 6th week and the 3rd month. The third evaluation was done in 12–36 months by telephone. Results: Fifty of the patients (86%) achieved straight erections after the surgery. Five patients (9%) had improvement in their penile curvature that enabled them to perform sexual intercourse easily. In 3 of our patient (5%) recurrence of the curvature was observed. Penile shortening of 0.5–1.5 cm was observed in 13 of the cases (22.4%). Fifty–four cases (93%) reported no change in their quality of erections. Conclusion: Incision of the tunica albuginea and venous patch grafting technique is a very satisfactory surgical method in the treatment of the curvature in Peyronie’s disease.

Standards for Clinical Trials in Male Sexual Dysfunctions

INTRODUCTION Clinical trials in male sexual dysfunction (MSD) are expanding. Consequently, there is a need for consensus standards in this area. AIM To develop an evidence-based, state-of-the-art consensus report on standards for clinical trials in MSD. METHODS A literature review was performed examining clinical trials in erectile dysfunction (ED), premature ejaculation (PE), delayed/absent ejaculation, libido disorders/loss of desire, hypogonadism, and Peyronies disease, focusing on publications published in the last 20 years. This manuscript represents the opinions of eight experts from seven countries developed in a consensus process. This document was presented for peer review and debate in a public forum and revisions were made based on recommendations of chairpersons to the International Consultation on Sexual Medicine. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Expert opinion was based on the grading of evidence-based medical literature, widespread internal committee discussion, public presentation, and debate. RESULTS According to experience and recent publications in dealing with clinical trials in sexual dysfunction, recommendations have been made for conducting trials in patients with ED, PE, delayed ejaculation, libido disorders, hypogonadism, and Peyronies disease. CONCLUSIONS It is important that future clinical trials are conducted using standards upon which investigators can rely when reading manuscripts or conducting new trials in this field.

Penile Mondor disease and its effect on erectile function: results of 30 patients.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the treatment outcomes among patients diagnosed with penile Mondor disease and to evaluate the effect of the disease on erectile function. METHODS A total of 30 patients diagnosed with penile Mondor disease were enrolled in the study. All patients underwent physical examination and penile Doppler ultrasonography and filled in the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire at regular intervals. Pharmacotherapy was started when penile Mondor disease was diagnosed. After the data were confirmed to be normally distributed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, the differences between the 3 IIEF-5 scores were evaluated using repeated measures analysis of variance and post hoc Bonferroni tests. RESULTS The mean age of the patients was 34.3 years (range, 25-48 years). Ten patients had prolonged sexual intercourse, 4 had recent intestinal infection history, 2 had recent long-haul flights, 1 had sickle cell anemia, and 2 had penile trauma caused by sexual intercourse. Nine patients were considered idiopathic. Mean IIEF-5 scores at the baseline and at 1- and 2-month follow-ups were 20.87, 20.07, and 20.93, respectively. Although no significant difference was found between the baseline and the 2-month follow-up IIEF-5 scores, significant differences between the baseline and the 1-month (P = .004) and the 1- and 2-month follow-up IIEF-5 scores (P = .0001) were detected. CONCLUSION Penile Mondor disease is a rare complication that can be successfully treated with medical therapy and conservative approach. Our series showed that penile Mondors disease does not lead to permanent deformation of the penis or erectile dysfunction.

RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF MEDICOLEGAL CASES AND EVALUATION FOR ERECTILE FUNCTION

Erectile function (EF) is an important question in lawsuits for divorce, rape, and damages. In this study, a method to evaluate medicolegal cases is defined, and the characteristics of the 265 cases screened for EF between 1989 and 1997 were analyzed. Interview, physical examination, psychometric evaluation, nocturnal penile tumescence, serum hormone levels and blood chemistry, intracavernosal drug injection, penile Doppler ultrasonography, and pharmacocavernosometry and pharmacocavernosography tests were used for diagnosis. The tests performed were selected according to the age of the subject. Of the 265 cases 128 (48.3%) were for divorce, 116 (43.7%) were for rape, and 21 (8%) were for indemnity relating to lawsuits for damages. In only 7 cases (2.7%) was the defendant <15 years of age. Organic pathology for erectile dysfunction (ED) was present in 22% of lawsuits for divorce, 40.5% of lawsuits for rape, and 33.4% of lawsuits for damages. Three men in cases of divorce and 2 men after genital trauma due to traffic accident suffered psychological ED. This study indicates that lawyers may abuse the assertion of ED in lawsuits for divorce and rape. In 128 divorce cases the defendant was accused of being impotent, but evaluation proved that 75.8% had normal EF. In lawsuits for rape, 59.5% of defendants had normal EF although the lawyers of the rapist claimed their clients were impotent. The investigation, interpretation, and characteristics of medicolegal cases may differ in countries with different cultures.