Novel penile traction therapy improves erectile function after prostatectomy: Study
USA: RestoreX penile traction therapy improved penile length and erectile function post-prostatectomy, according to a new study. The study results were presented at the American Urological Association Annual Meeting, held May 13 to 16 in New Orleans, and subsequently published in The Journal of Urology.
Post-prostatectomy (post-RP), erectile dysfunction, and penile length loss are common. Recent findings from a randomized, controlled study (RCT) of RestoreX penile traction therapy (RxPTT) have shown preserved erectile function and penile length improvements in men post-RP. Landon Trost, M.D., of the Male Fertility and Peyronie's Clinic, in Orem, Utah, and colleagues in their study, reported outcomes of the open-label phase (6-9 month time point).
For this purpose, the researchers completed a randomized, controlled trial of 82 men. Men were randomized 1-month post-RP to no treatment (NoTx, n=27) or RxPTT (n=55) for 5 months. The patients then entered an open-label phase for 3 months. Assessments included standardized (International Index of Erectile Function [IIEF]), non-standardized questionnaires, and stretched penile length (corona). As-treated analysis was used to perform comparisons of changes from baseline between cohorts.
Salient findings of the study include:
· Of the 82 men enrolled (mean age 58.6), 55 had 6-month, and 42 had 9-month data available to review.
· Baseline characteristics were similar between cohorts. In the as-treated analysis (NoTx x 8 months n=7, RxPTT x 8 months n=12, respectively), differences were as noted: IIEF-EFD (−8 vs −0.5), IIEF-OFD (−3 vs −2), IIEF-SD (−1 vs 0.5), IIEF-ISD (−3 vs −0.5), IIEF-OSD (−2 vs 0), penile length (−0.1 vs +1.8 cm), PDE5 use (86% vs 75%), intracavernosal injection use (86% vs 17%).
· Comparisons of men who were NoTx x 8 months (n=7) to those crossing over to RxPTT during the open label phase (n=8) demonstrated: IIEF-EFD (−8 vs −6, p=0.49), IIEF-OFD (−3 vs −1), IIEF-SD (−1 vs 0), IIEF-ISD (−3 vs −1), IIEF-OSD (−2 vs −1), penile length (−0.1 vs +0.69 cm).
· Men who crossed over from RxPTT to NoTx (n=10) had relatively preserved improvements compared to those who continued with RxPTT during the open label phase (n=12): IIEF-EFD (0 vs −0.5), IIEF-OFD (−3.5 vs −2, p=0.97), IIEF-SD (0 vs 0.5), IIEF-ISD (0 vs −0.5), IIEF-OSD (0 vs 0), penile length (+1.8 vs +1.8).
"Our results confirm earlier findings of preserved sexual function and penile length in men treated with RxPTT compared to controls," wrote the authors. "Men who crossed over from controls to Tx experience benefits, although not as significant as those who were treated beginning at 1 month post-prostatectomy."
"Men who stopped Tx after 6 months demonstrated stable improvements from baseline, suggesting a preserved effect of RxPTT even after discontinuing use."
Reference:
The study titled, "PD49-06 EFFICACY OF RESTOREX PENILE TRACTION THERAPY IN IMPROVING PENILE LENGTH AND ERECTILE FUNCTION POST PROSTATECTOMY," appears in The Journal of Urology.
