Electron microscopic findings of penile tissues in veno-occlusive dysfunction: is penile biopsy necessary?

In this study, we examined the biopsy patterns of penile tissues taken during operation from patients subjected to surgical treatment for veno-occlusive dysfunction, and evaluated the importance of penile biopsy. We evaluated the findings from 17 patients with venous impotence. Fourteen of them underwent total vein ligation and the rest penile prosthesis implantation. Tissue specimens taken from superficial and deep dorsal veins, tunica albuginea and corpus cavernosum during operation were examined under electron microscope. Tissue specimens taken from 3 cadavers were used as the control group. Although the deep and superficial vein specimens of all patients did not show significant differences, oedema and increase of fibroblasts in collagen fibres of the corpus cavernosum and tunica albuginea were demonstrated. We concluded that penile biopsy as an invasive method does not give enough information about the choice of treatment for erectile dysfunction.