Glans hypermobility scale (GHS): A simple grading scale and description of a modified glanspexy technique

Abstract

Glans hypermobility (GH) is a well-described clinical entity that can have significant implications for cosmesis and function, resulting in sexual dissatisfaction, penile pain, and early device erosion, with an estimated incidence of 0.04% to 10%. We developed a novel grading scale to assess GH severity intraoperatively during primary inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) placement and describe a modified glanspexy technique to correct GH when encountered during IPP placement. 530 patients who underwent primary IPP placements from two high-volume prosthetic surgeons between February 2018 – November 2019 were retrospectively reviewed in order to identify the incidence of GH. Of these, 139 (26.2%) had hypermobility. Employing our new scaling system, grade 1, 2, and 3 GH was seen in 86 (16.2%), 29 (5.5%), and 24 (4.5%) cases, respectively. Increased implant size correlated with a decreased likelihood of GH incidence. Each increase in implant size by 1 cm decreased the incidence of detecting GH by 11.0% (OR = 0.89; p = 0.015). 11 patients underwent primary GH repair using our described technique. At one-year follow-up, one patient required repeat glanspexy for recurrent bothersome GH and a second patient developed a suture granuloma at the glanspexy incision requiring unilateral cylinder explant. Our modified glanspexy technique can be used to correct GH in any direction and is a useful tool for the prosthetic surgeon’s armamentarium.