Suspensory ligament surgery has become increasingly popular in the last ten years.
It is a surgical procedure to release the hidden length of the flaccid penis. It is often performed together with an autologous fat transfer to increase the flaccid and erect girth of the penis at the same time.
The suspensory ligament is a thick fibrous ligament hidden deep underneath the pubic bone. The function of the suspensory ligament is to keep the penis upright when it is erect, this is the only function of this ligament. When the ligament is divided through a half-moon incision at the base of the penis, this manoeuvre pushes the penis forward and makes it hang to a lower position.
This action increases the flaccid length of the penis between one and two inches for about 95 % of patients. In a few rare cases, the increase can be slightly less than one inch or slightly more than two inches. It should be remembered that the penis can only be lengthened in the flaccid state. It is not possible to increase the erect length of the penis with this surgery. In all cases, patients are given a traction device six weeks after surgery to help increase the erect length after the suspensory ligament division.
To avoid reattachment of the cut ligaments a small implant is anchored between them, urologists refer to this implant as a silicone buffer. The procedure is considered permanent.
After this surgery the angle of the erection changes by about ten to fifteen degrees lower. This is mostly unnoticeable when patients are looking down at their penis.
The suspensory ligament does not affect sexual performance as it has nothing to do with the quality of the erection. It also has no impact on fertility.