The penile suspensory ligament: abnormalities and repair

OBJECTIVE: To assess men presenting with abnormalities of the penile suspensory ligament (PSL) and its correction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In all, 35 men presenting with abnormalities of the PSL that were subsequently repaired were included in this series. The causes included; sexual trauma (15 men), congenital absence of the PSL/congenital penile curvature (14), and two each with venogenic erectile dysfunction, Peyronie's disease and penile dysmorphic disorder. The diagnosis was made clinically by the presence of a palpable gap between the symphysis pubis and the penis, together with medical history and examination of penile torsion or instability. The surgical repair used nonabsorbable sutures placed between the symphysis pubis and the tunica albuginea of the penis. RESULTS: A 'good' surgical outcome was defined as correction of the penile deformity or instability and achieving normal sexual function. There was a good surgical outcome in 91% of men as defined, and 86% of the men were happy with the outcome. There were no significant complications, but three men needed a repeat PSL repair. CONCLUSION: Men with abnormalities of the PSL can present with a variety of clinical symptoms, but when correctly diagnosed the repair is a simple technique with a successful cosmetic and functional outcome.