Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy in the Management of Peyronie’s Disease

Authors

Basil Kaaki, University of LynchburgFollow

Specialty

Urology

Advisor

Professor Elyse Watkins, DHSc, PA-C, DFAAPA

Abstract

ABSTRACT:

Purpose: The purpose if this article is to assess the efficacy of Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy (ESWT) in the treatment of Peyronie’s Disease (PD).

Method: Using the terms Peyronie’s Disease, Shockwave therapy, and Lithotripsy, a literature review was conducted using the PubMed database. A total of eighteen articles were found, ten of which were found to be pertinent.

Results: There is evidence that ESWT can provide clinically significant pain relief and potentially reduce plaque size in patients with PD. There is limited data on ESWT showing any benefit in the reduction of penile curvature and the recovery of sexual function.

Conclusion: PD is reported to affect between 8-12% of the general population. Patient diagnosed with PD often describe painful erections, penile curvature and a palpable plaque. In many patients, penile deformity can cause psychological distress. Therefore, it is important that we continue to explore innovative and minimally invasive treatment modalities such as the use of shockwave therapy in the treatment of PD. ESWT is a novel, minimally invasive, regenerative treatment used in Orthopedics, Cardiology and Urology. The use of Low Intensity lithotripsy on animal tissue has been shown to enhance neovascularization, recruit vascular growth factors and progenitor cells, activate stem cells, increase nitric oxide production and Shwann-cell nerve regeneration on the tissue it is applied. Although preliminary data indicates improvement in pain and potential reduction of plaque size, a multi-institutional randomized controlled trial is needed to determine if there is any benefit in reduction of penile curvature.

Recommended Citation

Kaaki B. Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy in the Management of Peyronie’s Disease. University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2021; 3(2).