Causes and Symptoms of Peyronie's Disease

• The exact cause of Peyronie's disease has not yet been identified. Observation of Peyronie's patients has led to the theory that the condition results from traumatic injury to the penis which causes a mesh-like protein called fibrio to form around a wounded area in order to stop bleeding. The formation of this fibrio can cause inflammation and pain, even leading to erectile dysfunction (ED) in long-lasting cases.
  
  

Treatments for Peyronies

• Treatments for Peyronie's disease include invasive surgeries to remove the offensive plaque. The more intense Nesbit Procedure removes both the plaque and skin on the opposite side of the penis from the plaque. Surgical procedures carry risks of ED and penis shortening during erection. Netrinol, an enzyme taken orally to dissolve plaque, is manufactured to treat the disease and poses none of the risks of surgery.
  
  

Prostatectomy Procedures

• A prostatectomy, removal of all or part of the prostate, is recommended for patients suffering with prostate problems such as cancer. There are several approaches to this procedure. The most invasive are the radical retropubic, the perennial and the nerve-saving procedures. The radical and nerve-saving approaches can cause Peyronies disease because they involve making an incision on the penis. The perennial procedure approaches the prostate from the abdomen. Laperoscopies also involve entering from the abdomen, but the incision is decidedly smaller and tiny robotic tools are used to make necessary cuts for removal of the prostate.
  
  

M. Carreri's Case Study

• M. Carreri's study at Andrological and Outpatient Units of Policlinico, Geminelli, Rome studied the relationship between Peyronie's disease and potential risk factors such as a prostatectomy. In the case study, 134 men with Peyronie's disease and 134 without the condition were surveyed. According to the study, men who had undergone a prostatectomy had a 15:1, or 35 percent, chance of developing Peyronie's as opposed to men who had not had the invasive surgery.
  
  

Considerations

• As both a prostatectomy and Peyronie's disease can have great impact on a man's sexual abilities, all efforts must be taken by doctors to restore normal function. Research and choose a physician skilled in delicate surgical procedures to minimize the risk.