Overview
During incision or partial plaque excision and GRAFTING, the surgeon will make one or more cuts into the scar tissue on the side of curvature. In some cases, the surgeon may actually cut out a small segment of the scar if necessary. This allows the jacket tissue surrounding the erectile bodies of the penis, where the scar is located, to release and promotes straightening of the penis. The surgeon must also sew in a piece of tissue (graft) over the area that was cut. The graft may be tissue from your own body or other human or animal tissue. The type of graft material that is used depends on surgeon preference, and all generally result in similar success rates. This type of procedure is generally used in men with more-severe curvature or deformity, such as indentations. This procedure is associated with greater risks of side effects. For example, to get to the scar tissue, the surgeon must carefully dissect nerves and blood vessels that help supply the head of the penis. In rare instances, this may compromise sensation to the head of the penis. Also, by cutting the scar tissue, there may be an increased risk for worsening erectile function after surgery. For these and other reasons, not all patients are considered good candidates for grafting procedures. Your surgeon may also discuss other surgical treatments such as penile plication and penile prosthesis placement at the time of your consultation. Grafting procedures are complex, and outcomes are highly dependent on the skill and experience of the performing surgeon. For this reason, it is recommended that surgery is performed by an expert urologist who specializes in the treatment of severe Peyronie's Disease.