Human Cadaveric Pericardial Graft for the Surgical Correction of Peyronie’s Disease

ABSTRACT 

Purpose

In patients with stable penile deformity secondary to Peyronie’s disease (PD) penile straightening can be achieved with plaque incision or partial excision and grafting. We present our experience with human cadaveric pericardium for tunica albuginea grafting for men undergoing penile reconstruction for Peyronie’s disease.

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively reviewed our experience with 40 men with PD who underwent penile straightening with partial plaque excision and grafting using human cadaveric pericardium from January 1999 to January 2003.

Results

All 40 men were evaluable for preoperative, operative and postoperative characteristics. Mean postoperative followup was 22.0 months. Mean preoperative penile curvature was 69.1 degrees. Subjectively 36 of the 40 patients (90%) graded preoperative erection as sufficiently rigid for coitus and 100% had sufficiently rigid erection for coitus following intracorporeal papaverine injection. Mean pericardial graft size was 4.9 × 4.8 cm. Postoperatively 39 of the 40 patients (98%) had successful penile straightening, 38 (95%) achieved coitus, 28 (70%) achieved full, unaided erection and 12 (30%) had some degree of erectile dysfunction (ED) requiring pharmacological assistance for intercourse. There were no significant differences in ED risk factors, plaque location, graft size or complications in men who did and did not have ED postoperatively (p >0.05). There were no major complications or graft related adverse events.

Conclusions

Human cadaveric pericardium is a safe, readily available and pliable tissue for tunica albuginea grafting following PD plaque incision or partial excision. Careful patient selection must be emphasized and particular attention must be given to deformity stability and preoperative erectile function to maximize surgical outcome.

Key Words:  penis , penile induration , pericardium , transplants , cadaver