INTRALESIONAL VERAPAMIL INJECTION IN TREATMENT OF PEYRONIE'S DISEASE. PRELIMINARY RESULTS

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of intra-lesional verapamil injection in the treatment of Peyronie's disease. Patients and Methods Twenty-six patients with Peyronie's disease were divided into two groups: the verapamil treatment group (study group) including 13 patients and the saline group (control group) including another 13 patients. The patients' age ranged from 35 to 58 years with a mean age of 43.75 years. The patients in the study group were subjected to a weekly injection of 10 mg verapamil hydrochloride (5 mg / 2 ml) into the plaque for the duration of six weeks. At the same time, the patients in the control group received a weekly injection of normal saline into the plaque, also for the duration of six weeks. The patients' response to the injections was evaluated subjectively with respect to pain and sexual dysfunction and objectively with respect to the plaque volume and the degree of curvature. Results Following therapy, pain was improved in 8 of 9 patients (88.9) of the patients in the verapamil group, while in the control group it was stationary in 6 of 8 patients (75%) and had progressed in 2 of 8 patients (25%). Curvature was improved in 5 of 10 patients (50%) and remained unchanged in 5 of 10 patients (50%) of the study group, while no improvement could be recorded in any of the patients of the control group. Three of five patients (60%) of the study group reported an improvement in sexual function, while no improvement was reported in the control group. Conclusion Verapamil may be considered a safe, effective non-surgical remedy for the treatment of Peyronie's disease with an acceptable outcome in selected patients. (Af J Urology: 2003 9(2): 53-58)