Penile clamp device – a new indication?
Reviewed by Arun K Sharma

This study originates from New Zealand and looks at men affected by post-prostatectomy incontinence (PPI). These patients are difficult to manage with the options of further surgery, indwelling catheters or pads. The aim of this questionnaire study (IIQ 7) was to assess the usefulness of a penile compression device (Dribblestop®, Rennich Industries Ltd, Canada). Eighteen men were contacted across 10 centres. The average pre-intervention score was 67.3/100 and post-intervention was 26.8/100. The patients found the device easy to use, felt more confident and were able to undertake increased physical activity. Penile clamps were described by Heister in 1750AD but their use has been superseded over the years by more fashionable artificial sphincters, etc. In certain patients (e.g. medically unfit and elderly) the use of penile clamps needs to be re-visited. 

The penile clamp: medieval pain or makeshift gain.
Barnard J, Westenberg M.
NEUROUROLOGY AND URODYNAMICS
2015;34:115-16