Decision Regret About Testicular Prosthesis After Radical Orchiectomy: Real-life Data to Improve Preoperative Patient...

Patients undergoing orchiectomy for testicular cancer (TC) may have body image concerns, with a testicular prosthesis (TP) as a potential solution. Data on regret regarding synchronous TP placement are limited. We investigated postoperative patient-reported satisfaction and decision regret after unilateral orchiectomy for TC with or without synchronous TP placement.

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 142 cN0M0 TC patients who underwent orchiectomy at two tertiary-referral academic centers between 2014 and 2023. A synchronous TP was proposed in all cases. In October 2024, patients completed a decision regret scale and questions on TP placement and satisfaction. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used for the analysis.

Sixty-one (43%) patients had synchronous TP placement. Patients with a TP more frequently reported that their decision was correct (p < 0.01), they had less regret (p = 0.01), and they would have repeated the same choice (p = 0.02). Patients without a TP more frequently reported that they were still missing the removed testicle and they felt ashamed about their body image (all p < 0.01). Partner's complaints about patient's body image were more common in men without a TP (p = 0.01). A multivariable analysis showed that TP placement (odds ratio 0.4, p = 0.03) was associated with less regret. This study may have selection biases, and larger, multicentric studies are needed.

Patients with synchronous TP placement reported higher satisfaction, less negative body image, lower partner disappointment, and less regret than those without a TP. Preoperative counseling should emphasize long-term satisfaction with a TP.