Use of local hyperthermia as prophylaxis of fibrosis and modification in penile length following radical retropubic prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of local hyperthermia in reducing possible penile shortening following radical retropubic prostatectomy.

METHODS

The study population comprised 40 patients, aged 52-74 years, submitted to radical retropubic prostatectomy. Patients were divided into two groups of 20. In Group A, patients were submitted to local hyperthermia 3 weeks after surgery, three times a week, with treatment lasting 30 min. Patients received a total of 10 applications, which reached a local temperature of 39-40 degrees C. A second cycle was repeated after 1 month. In Group B, patients were submitted only to post-operative follow-up once a month. Penile length was measured in all patients both before and 3 months after surgery in the 'stretching phase' from the pubo-penile junction to the tip of the glans.

RESULTS

In Group A patients (hyperthermia treatment), no variation in penile length was observed in 16 cases (80%), while the reduction ranged from 0.5-1.5 cm in four cases (20%). In Group B, 12 patients (60%) showed a reduction in penile length ranging from 0.5-2.5 cm, while penile length remained unchanged in eight patients (40%).

CONCLUSIONS

Results of this study demonstrate a mild but statistically relevant reduction in penile shortening following low-grade, externally delivered penile hyperthermia, thus confirming the efficacy of this approach in preventing penile shortening caused by post-ischaemic fibrosis.