Once non-surgical treatment has run its course and a curve is still keeping you from having sex comfortably, surgery becomes the most effective option on the table — and the numbers back that up. Large surgical series report anatomic success rates of 87% to 95% across the main procedures, with newer grafting techniques pushing satisfaction rates as high as 92%. This guide breaks down the three real surgical paths — plication, grafting, and penile implants — with the data, recovery timeline, and risks for each, so you walk into your consultation already informed.
For a full overview of when surgery makes sense versus non-surgical and surgical treatment options for Peyronie’s disease, start there first. This page goes deeper into the surgical side specifically.
Surgical Outcomes: Quick Facts
| Statistic | What the Data Shows |
| Plication anatomic success rate | Around 90% initially, settling near 83% at long-term follow-up (36+ months) |
| Grafting anatomic success rate | Around 87–88% initially, similar (~84%) at long-term follow-up |
| Buccal mucosa grafting (newer technique) | Meta-analysis found a 98.6% success rate and 92.1% satisfaction rate |
| De novo erectile dysfunction after buccal grafting | As low as 1.7% in recent meta-analysis data |
| Overall patient/partner satisfaction (various series) | Ranges from about 79% to 94%, depending on technique and study |
| Curve size guiding procedure choice | Under ~60° often suits plication; over ~60° or complex deformity usually favors grafting |
| Time before surgery is appropriate | Curve and symptoms stable for 3–6 months, disease present 9–12+ months |
Who Is a Candidate for Surgery?
Surgery is appropriate once you meet all of the following:
- Your curvature has been stable for at least 6 to 12 months
- The curve or deformity causes sexual dysfunction or significant distress
- Oral medications, injections, and traction therapy haven’t produced enough improvement
- You have no active pain or ongoing progression of the disease
Which procedure fits best depends on your curve’s severity and location, your erectile function going in, and whether you have coexisting erectile dysfunction.
Comparing the Three Surgical Options
| Feature | Penile Plication | Penile Grafting | Penile Implant |
| Best for | Mild-to-moderate curves (generally under 60°) with good erectile function | Severe curves (over 60°), hourglass deformity, or significant indentation | Peyronie’s disease combined with erectile dysfunction |
| Effect on length | Shortens the penis (usually 1–2 cm) | Aims to preserve or restore length | Straightens the penis while restoring rigid erections |
| Approximate anatomic success rate | ~90% initially, ~83% long-term | ~87–88% initially; buccal grafting techniques up to 98.6% | High patient satisfaction when ED is the primary driver |
| Recovery before normal activity | 2 to 4 weeks | 4 to 6+ weeks | 4 to 6 weeks, similar to other implant procedures |
| Erectile dysfunction risk | Lower | Moderate to higher | Directly addresses existing ED rather than risking new onset |
| Complexity | Simpler, shorter procedure | More complex; may require overnight stay | Moderate complexity; typically 45–60 minutes |
| Sexual activity resumes | Around 4 to 6 weeks | Around 6 to 8 weeks | Typically 4 to 6 weeks, per surgeon guidance |
Penile Plication: How It Works
Plication straightens the penis by placing sutures on the side opposite the curve, pulling the longer, unaffected side inward to match the shorter, scarred side. It doesn’t remove the plaque itself — it compensates for it.
- Advantages: Shorter surgery, faster recovery, lower complication rates, and erectile function is typically well preserved
- Trade-offs: Some penile shortening is expected (usually 1–2 cm), and it isn’t well suited to severe or complex curvatures since it doesn’t address the underlying plaque
Penile Grafting: How It Works
Grafting takes the opposite approach: the surgeon incises or removes the plaque directly, then covers the resulting defect with a graft — synthetic, donor, or the patient’s own tissue (a buccal mucosa graft from inside the cheek is one increasingly used option). Rather than shortening the long side, this lengthens the short, affected side.
- Advantages: Can restore length lost to the disease, suited to severe deformities, hourglass narrowing, and significant indentation
- Trade-offs: Longer surgery and recovery, higher risk of erectile changes, and more involved post-operative care
Penile Implant: How It Works
When Peyronie’s disease occurs alongside erectile dysfunction that hasn’t responded to medication, a penile implant often solves both problems in a single operation. The device is placed inside the erectile tissue and, once in place, corrects curvature while allowing a reliable, on-demand erection — inflatable models can be deflated when not in use, while semi-rigid models stay firm but bendable. Because it addresses ED directly rather than relying on the penis’s own erectile mechanism to hold a correction, it’s frequently the preferred option for men who have both conditions together.
Risks and Complications
| Risk | Notes |
| Penile shortening | More associated with plication; typically 1–2 cm |
| Erectile dysfunction | More common with grafting; newer buccal mucosa techniques report rates as low as 1.7% in meta-analysis data |
| Penile numbness or reduced sensation | Possible with any technique, often temporary |
| Bleeding or infection | Standard surgical risk; managed with pre- and post-operative precautions |
| Recurrence of curvature | Uncommon but possible with any surgical approach |
Recovery: What to Actually Expect Day by Day
Recovery specifics vary by procedure, but most patients follow a similar general pattern:
- Day of surgery: Mild bruising and bleeding at the incision site are normal; ice packs (never applied directly to skin) help manage swelling in the first 24 hours
- First 24–72 hours: Swelling and discomfort often peak, sometimes with a pink tinge in the urine or a slower urinary stream — both typically resolve on their own
- Days 2–10: Daily dressing changes; most surgeons ask patients to keep the area dry and avoid baths, hot tubs, or swimming (showers are fine) for several weeks
- 3–4 weeks: Dissolvable sutures resolve on their own; some redness or minor wound separation is normal and not cause for concern
- Sexual activity: Most surgeons recommend waiting a full 6 to 8 weeks after grafting, and around 4 to 6 weeks after plication or implant placement
Regardless of which procedure you have, penile rehabilitation is often recommended afterward — PDE5 inhibitors if erectile function declines, vacuum erection devices, or gentle stretching — to support the best long-term outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is surgery the only option for Peyronie’s disease?
No. Many men respond to non-surgical treatments like collagenase injections or traction therapy. Surgery becomes the option when conservative methods haven’t worked and the curvature is stable with meaningfully impaired function.
Can surgery make my penis longer?
Grafting and implant procedures aim to preserve or restore the length lost to the disease, and plication can improve the functional, usable length by straightening the curve — but none of these procedures make the penis longer than its original, pre-disease size.
How long does it take to recover from Peyronie’s disease surgery?
Plication typically allows a return to normal activity in 2 to 4 weeks. Grafting generally takes 4 to 6+ weeks, with sexual activity usually delayed 6 to 8 weeks. Implant recovery is generally in the 4 to 6 week range.
What factors determine which procedure is right for me?
The main factors are the degree and location of curvature, current penile length and erectile rigidity, whether erectile dysfunction is already present, and your personal priorities — whether preserving length, minimizing surgical complexity, or resolving ED matters most to you.
How successful is Peyronie’s disease surgery, really?
Large surgical series report anatomic success rates in the high 80s to low 90s percent for both plication and grafting, with newer techniques like buccal mucosa grafting reporting success rates as high as 98.6% and satisfaction over 90% in meta-analysis data. Results vary by surgeon experience and individual case complexity.
Will I need a second surgery?
It’s uncommon, but recurrence of curvature is possible with any technique. Choosing an experienced surgeon and following post-operative guidance — including any recommended penile rehabilitation — helps minimize that risk.
Can Peyronie’s disease surgery be combined with treatment for erectile dysfunction?
Yes — this is one of the most common reasons a penile implant is chosen over plication or grafting alone, since it corrects the curve and restores reliable erections in one procedure.
Is age a factor in whether surgery is safe?
Research specifically looking at men 65 and older undergoing Peyronie’s disease surgery found it to be a safe and effective option across plication, grafting, and implant procedures, so age alone generally isn’t a barrier — overall health and erectile function matter more.
Choosing the Right Surgeon in Miami
Outcomes for Peyronie’s disease surgery are closely tied to surgeon experience, since technique selection and execution both affect the final result. Dr. Shirin Razdan brings robotic and minimally invasive urologic training to these procedures, prioritizing precision and faster recovery. If you’re still exploring your options, our guide to finding the right Peyronie’s disease doctor and our page on Peyronie’s disease specialist care in Miami can help you prepare for that first conversation. You can also learn more about the underlying condition, including patterns of symptoms and causes of Peyronie’s disease and penile curvature, or reach out directly to Dr. Shirin Razdan to schedule a consultation.