title: Acute phase Peyronie's disease management with traction device: a nonrandomized prospective controlled trial with ultrasound correlation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Outcome data of penile traction therapy (PTT) for the acute phase (AP) of Peyronie's disease (PD) have not been specifically studied.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a penile extender device for the treatment of patients with AP of PD.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 55 patients underwent PTT for 6 months and were compared with 41 patients with AP of PD who did not receive active treatment ("no intervention group" [NIG]).
  
  
  METHODS
  Pre- and posttreatment variables included degree of curvature, penile length and girth, pain by 0-10 cm visual analog scale (VAS), erectile function (EF) domain of the International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire, Erection Hardness Scale, Sexual Encounter Profile 2 question, and penile sonographic evaluation (only patients in the intervention group).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean curvature decreased from 33° at baseline to 15° at 6 months and 13° at 9 months with a mean decrease 20° (P < 0.05) in the PTT group. VAS score for pain decreased from 5.5 to 2.5 after 6 months (P < 0.05). EF and erection hardness also improved significantly. The percentage of patients who were not able to achieve penetration decreased from 62% to 20% (P < 0.03). In the NIG, deformity increased significantly, stretched flaccid penile length decreased, VAS score for pain increased, and EF and erection hardness worsened. PTT was associated with the disappearance of sonographic plaques in 48% of patients. Furthermore, the need for surgery was reduced in 40% of patients who would otherwise have been candidates for surgery and simplified the complexity of the surgical procedure (from grafting to plication) in one out of every three patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PTT seems an effective treatment for the AP of PD in terms of pain reduction, penile curvature decrease, and improvement in sexual function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda (HUPHM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Juan I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Martínez-Salamanca
authors.forename: Alejandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Egui
authors.forename: Ignacio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Moncada
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Minaya
authors.forename: Claudio Martínez
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Ballesteros
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Del Portillo
authors.forename: Ignacio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sola
authors.forename: Joaquín
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Carballido
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010410:Penile Erection; D010411:Penile Induration / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010413:Penis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014143:Traction / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Erectile Dysfunction; Methods; Penile Induration; Peyronie's Disease; Therapy; Traction; Tunica Albuginea