Extracorporeal shock waves in the treatment of peyronie's disease

Abstract EN

Background : peyronie's disease is an acquired disorder of the tunica albuginea characterized by the formation of a plaque of fibrous tissue that may be associated with erectile dysfunction and pain on erection.

There may be difficulty of penetration as a result of the curvature.

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of extracorporeal shock waves in the treatment of patients with stable Peronei's disease.

Methods : A total of 30 male patients were included in the study from December, 2007 till October, 2010.

The mean age ± SD was 42.77 years ± 9.38.

Detailed medical and sexual history was obtained.

Five patients (16.66 %) were diabetics and other 5 patients (16.66 %) had hypertension as well as diabetes mellitus.

Thorough physical examination including local examination was performed.

All the patients had dorsal plaques.

Twenty patients (66.7 %) were presented with dorsal plaques, curvature and erectile dysfunction.

The remaining 10 patients (33.3 %) had pain in addition to these features.

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy was performed in all cases with low energy shock waves using Wolf lithotripsy machine in Basrah General Hospital.

Results: No serious complications occurred.

The average decrease of the plaque length was (0.

14 centimeters).

Pain relief obtained in 6 out of 10 patients who were presented with pain (60 %) .

Improvement in the sexual function occurred in 15 out of 30 patients (50 %).

Improvement in the psychological status obtained in 20 out of 30 patients (66.7 %).

No definite cure occurred in the current study in terms of disappearance of the plaque and symptoms.

Conclusion : Extracorporeal shock wave therapy in Peyronie's disease seems to be a safe procedure without severe side effects.

It seems to have an effect on penile pain during erection, sexual function and the psychological status of patients with no statistically significant decrease in the plaque length.