Correction of congenital penile curvature

The skin of the penile shaft is detached via an incision, as in a circumcision operation. The neurovascular bundle is then carefully detached. In line with the arched penile curvature, a section of the tunica of the erectile bodies approx. 1.5 cm wide is usually removed at three different points (the so-called Nesbit operation). The tunica is closed with buried, non-palpable, absorbable sutures. The neurovascular bundle is moved back. The procedure ends with the adaptation of the penile shaft skin.

Patients are admitted on the day of the operation. After the operation, inpatient treatment for 3 days is recommended. After discharge, sexual abstinence should be observed for one month. It is advisable not to work for 1–2 weeks after discharge and to take it easy physically.

During the operation, the success of the corrective surgery is checked by means of an artificial erection. The operation is only completed when the straightening is complete. As there is no connective tissue disease in congenital penile curvature, the risk of renewed penile curvature is low.

To straighten the penile shaft, the neurovascular bundle in the midline of the penile shaft must be detached. These nerves are very sensitive and difficult to identify during the operation. The neurovascular bundle must therefore be detached very carefully and with a suitable technique. If the neurovascular bundle is detached improperly, this can lead to permanent sensory disturbances of the glans. Experience in detaching the neurovascular bundle is therefore essential. Prof. Dr. med. Sven Lahme has performed this operation approx. 1,500 times over a period of more than 25 years.