Hypothesis of human penile anatomy,erection hemodynamics and their clinical applications

Aim： To summarize recent advances in human penile anatomy, hemodynamics and their clinical applications. Methods： Using dissecting, light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy the fibroskeleton structure, penile venous vasculature, the relationship of the architecture between the skeletal and smooth muscles, and erection hemodynamics were studied on human cadaveric penises and clinical patients over a period of 10 years. Results： The tunica albuginea of the corpora cavernosa is a bi-layered structure with inner circular and outer longitudinal collagen bundles. Although there is no bone in the human glans, a strong equivalent distal ligament acts as a trunk of the glans penis. A guaranteed method of local anesthesia for penile surgeries and a tunical surgery was developed accordingly. On the venous vasculature it is elucidated that a deep dorsal vein, a couple of cavernosal veins and two pairs of para-arterial veins are located between the Buck＇s fascia and the tunica albuginea. Furthermore, a hemodynamic study suggests that a fully rigid erection may depend upon the drainage veins as well, rather than just the intracavemosal smooth muscle. It is believed that penile venous surgery deserves another look, and that it may be meaningful if thoroughly and carefully performed. Accordingly, a penile venous surgery was developed. Conclusion： Using this new insight into penile anatomy and physiology, exact penile curvature correction, refined penile implants and promising penile venous surgery, as well as a venous patch, for treating Peyronie＇s deformity might be performed under pure local anesthesia on an outpatient basis. （Asian J Androl 2006 Mar; 8： 225-234）

Incidence of deep venous thrombosis after gynaecological laparoscopy

Objective To evaluate the incidence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) after gynaecological laparoscopy.Methods The incidence of DVT was studied in 72 consecutive patients who underwent gynaecological laparoscopy in the Liverpool Health Service between May and September 1997. B-mode ultrasound supplemented by Doppler was used to examine venous patency and intraluminal echoes to diagnose DVT. Sixty-one patients who had pneumoperitoneum less than 60 minutes were classified a minor procedure and 11 who had pneumoperitoneum more than 60 minutes were classified as major procedure. Two Doppler ultrasound scans were planned for every patient. The first one was done within 24 hours and the second was performed on day 7 post-surgery. All 72 patients had the first scan and 40 out of 61 in the minor procedure group and 9 out of 11 in the major procedure had the second scan. Twenty-three patients who did not come for the second scan were followed up by phone.Results No DVT was found in our study.Conclusion This study confirms an impression that gynaecological laparoscopic procedure has a very low incidence of DVT. If it occurs, the diagnosis and treatment must be made as soon as possible so that the fatal complications such as pulmonary embolus can be avoided.