Study confirms efficiency of penile traction devices

Thursday, July 23, 2009- An Italian study into the effectiveness of penile traction devices has confirmed increases in length, but found no changes in girth. This new penile traction devices study, appearing in urology journal BJU International, was conducted by researchers from San Giovanni Battista Hospital, part of the University of Turin.

The new findings build on earlier studies into extenders carried out by researchers from the Rush University Medical Centre in Chicago that established positive outcomes from a study into their use. That study found that "significant (10-45 degrees) improvement in curvatures is achievable" and that extender use was an effective first option for treating Peyronie's.

In the new phase II study, the researchers aimed to establish whether or not penile traction devices (penis extenders) could provide an increase in penis size and the "efficacy" and tolerability of a penis extender device. The subject group of men was counselled in how to use the penile traction devices correctly for at least 4 hours per day. Penile dimensions were measured at the beginning (baseline) and thereafter at 1, 3, 6 and 12 month intervals. Twenty one highly motivated patients average 47 years old, were enrolled and 16 completed the entire 12 month study "says urologist Dr Paolo Gontero.

Men were asked to wear the Penis device for approximately 4 - 6 hours a day for six months. Device consisted from a plastic ring, silicon band to hold penis in place and two dynamic rods that produce traction. Traction was increased from 600g in first month to 1200g in month six.

These are key findings"

1. The men's average flaccid penile length was 2.82 inches (7.15cm) at baseline and had increased by 32 % to 3.72 inches (9.45cm) in month 12

2. The average stretched penile length was 3.79 inches (9.62cm) at baseline and had increased by 18% to 4.45 inches (11.32cm) in month 12

3. There was no significant increase in penile girth reported (averaged 4.09 inches, 10.4cm)

4. Average erectile functions improved by up to 36%, from 19.9 out of 30 to 27.1 out of 30 at baseline at 12 months.

5. High satisfaction levels were reported in all categories except penile girth. On the scale from 0-4 (4 represents optimal results), average satisfaction score was 2.8

6. 4 patients discontinued the treatment for following reasons: pain and penile bruising, satisfactory results after three months, inability to follow protocol and lack of efficacy.

The authors believe that the results are significant.

"Our study showed that the penile extender device produces an effective and durable lengthening of the penis, both in the flaccid and stretched state" concludes Dr Gontero. "If these results are confirmed by further research, we propose that the device should be used as a first-line treatment option for men seeking a penile lengthening procedure."

The researchers concluded that penile extenders should be regarded as a minimally invasive and effective treatment option to elongate the penile shaft in patients seeking treatment for a short penis.

Source:
Established in 1929, BJU International is published 23 times a year by Wiley-Blackwell and edited by Professor John Fitzpatrick from Mater Misericordiae University Hospital and University College Dublin, Ireland. It provides its international readership with invaluable practical information on all aspects of urology, including original and investigative articles and illustrated surgery. www.bjui.org

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