Penile prostheses



Definition

Penile prostheses are semi-rigid or inflatable devices that are implanted into penises to alleviate impotence.


Purpose

The penis is composed of one channel for urine and semen, and three compartments with tough, fibrous walls containing erectile tissue. With appropriate stimulation, the blood vessels that lead out of these compartments constrict, trapping blood. Blood pressure fills and hardens the compartments producing an erection of sufficient firmness to perform sexual intercourse. Additional stimulation leads to ejaculation, where semen is pumped out of the urethra. When this system fails, erectile dysfunction or impotence (failure to create and maintain an erection) occurs.

Impotence can be caused by a number of conditions, including diabetes, spinal cord injury, prolonged drug abuse, and removal of the prostate gland. If the medical condition is irreversible, a penile prosthesis may be considered. Men whose impotence is caused by psychological problems are not recommended for implant surgery.


Demographics

Recently, it has been reported that surgeons insert approximately 20,000 penile implants into American

An incision is made at the base of the penis to implant a prosthesis in an area of erectile tissue (B and C). Once in place, a pump placed in the scrotum can be used to inflate and deflate the implant when an erection is desired (D). (Illustration by GGS Inc.)
An incision is made at the base of the penis to implant a prosthesis in an area of erectile tissue (B and C). Once in place, a pump placed in the scrotum can be used to inflate and deflate the implant when an erection is desired (D). (
Illustration by GGS Inc.
)
men yearly. The most common device is a multi-component inflatable implant (approximately 45% of all implants). Semi-rigid rods account for about 35% of the implants. Self-contained devices comprise approximately 20% of implants.


Description

Penile implant surgery is conducted on persons who have exhausted all other areas of treatment. Semi-rigid devices consist of two rods that are easier and less expensive to implant than the inflatable cylinders. Once implanted, the semi-rigid device needs no follow-up adjustments; however, it produces a penis that constantly remains semi-erect. Inflatable cylinders produce a more natural effect. Men using them are able to simulate an erection via a pump located in the scrotum.

With a surgical patient under general anesthesia, the device is inserted into the erectile tissue of the penis through an incision in the fibrous wall. In order to insert the pump for the inflatable implant, incisions are made in the abdomen and the perineum (area between the anus and the genitals). A fluid reservoir is placed into the groin, and the pump is placed in the scrotum. The cylinders, reservoir, and pump are connected by tubes and tested before the incisions are closed.


Diagnosis/Preparation

Surgery always requires a patient who is adequately informed about the procedure's risks and benefits. The sexual partner should also be involved in the discussion. Prior to surgery, the region undergoes antibacterial cleansing and is shaved.


Aftercare

To minimize swelling, ice packs are applied to the penis for the first 24 hours following surgery. The incision sites are cleansed daily to prevent infection. Pain relievers may be taken.

Risks

With any implant, there is a slightly greater risk of infection than with simple surgery. The implant may irritate the penis and cause continuous pain. The inflatable prosthesis may need follow-up surgery to repair leaks in the reservoir or to reconnect the tubing.


Normal results

Successful implantation of a penile prosthesis solves some problems related to impotence. After healing from the surgical procedure, men with a penile prosthesis can resume normal sexual activities.


Morbidity and mortality rates

On a purely technical basis, morbidity associated with a surgically implanted penile implants is relatively uncommon, and is usually due to a post-surgical infection or to mechanical failure of the implanted device. Experts feel that personal dissatisfaction with a penile implant procedure is more common, and is usually due to unreasonable or inappropriate expectations for the procedure. Mortality is quite rare.


Alternatives

Medication (sildenafil citrate [Viagra]) is useful for some men with erectile dysfunction. The medication must be prescribed and monitored by a physician.

Impotence caused psychological factors can usually be treated with appropriate counseling and therapy.

Creams are available for purchase. Most experts agree that these cannot reverse physiological impotence.

Most experts consider mechanical rings that prevent blood flow out of a penis to be dangerous, and advise against their use.

See also Open prostatectomy .


Resources

books

Bland, K.I., W.G. Cioffi, M.G. Sarr. Practice of General Surgery. Philadelphia: Saunders, 2001.

Campbell, M.F., P.C. Walsh, A.B. Restik. Campbell's Urology, 8th ed. Philadelphia: Saunders, 2002.

Grace, P.A., A. Cuschieri, D. Rowley, N. Borley, A. Darzi. Clinical Surgery, 2nd ed. Londin, 2003.

Hanna, P.M., S.B. Malkowicz, and A.J. Wein. Clinical Manual of Urology, 3rd ed. New York: McGraw Hill, 2001.

Schwartz S.I., J.E. Fischer, F.C. Spencer, G.T. Shires, J.M. Daly. Principles of Surgery, 7th ed. New York: McGraw Hill, 1998.

Townsend C, K.L. Mattox, R.D. Beauchamp, B.M. Evers, D.C. Sabiston. Sabiston's Review of Surgery, 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Saunders, 2001.


periodicals

Carson, C.C. "Penile Prostheses: Are They Still Relevant?" British Journal of Urology International 91, no.3 (2003): 176-7.

Carson, C.C. "Therapeutic Strategies for Managing Erectile Dysfunction: A Step-care Approach." Journal of the American Osteopathic Medical Association 102, no.12 Suppl 4 (2002): S12-18.

Montague, D.K., K.W. Angermeier. "Current Status of Penile Prosthesis Implantation." Current Urology Reports 1, no.4 (2002): 291-6.

Rees, R.W., J. Kalsi, S. Minhas, J. Peters, P. Kell, D.J. Ralph. "The Management of Low-flow Priapism with the Immediate Insertion of a Penile Prosthesis." British Journal of Urology International 90, no.9 (2002): 893-7.


organizations

American Board of Surgery. 1617 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Suite 860, Philadelphia, PA 19103. (215) 568-4000. Fax: (215) 563-5718. http://www.absurgery.org .

American Board of Urology. 2216 Ivy Road, Suite 210, Chaarlottesviille, VA 22903. (434) 979-0059. http://www.abu.org .

American College of Surgeons. 633 North St. Clair Street, Chicago, IL 60611-32311. (312) 202-5000. Fax: (312) 202-5001. E-mail: http://postmaster@facs.org. http://www.facs.org .

American Foundation for Urologic Disease. 1128 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. (800) 242-2383. http://www.afud.org .

American Medical Association. 515 N. State Street, Chicago, IL 60610. (312) 464-5000. http://www.ama-assn.org .

American Urological Association. 1120 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. (410) 727-1100. http://www.auanet.org .

other

Cornell University. [cited May 5, 2003] http://www.cornellurology.com/cornell/sexualmedicine/ed/implant.shtml .

Ohio State University Medical Center. [cited May 5, 2003] http://www.acs.ohio-state.edu/units/osuhosp/patedu/Materials/PDFDocs/procedure/impo-imp.pdf .

Phoenix5. [cited May 5, 2003] http://www.phoenix5.org/sexaids/implants/surgerydiags.html .

University of California-Davis Medical Center. [cited May 5, 2003] http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/ucdhs/health/a-z/15Impotence/doc15procedures.html .


L. Fleming Fallon, Jr., M.D., Dr.PH.

WHO PERFORMS THE PROCEDURE AND WHERE IS IT PERFORMED?



A penile prosthesis is usually implanted by a urologist. This is a doctor with specialty training in diseases of the urinary system and the genital organs. The procedure is performed in a hospital with the patient under general anesthesia.

QUESTIONS TO ASK THE DOCTOR



User Contributions:

1
Mohanjit Singh
Sir,

One our known is interested for sex change from female to male.Age 28 years with abnormality of hormones.No breast and ovaries are not producing ovum. I would like to ask you which is best center in India or abroad perform good surgery & best results.

looking forward for your prompt reply
Under Alternatives above:
"Most experts consider mechanical rings that prevent blood flow out of a penis to be dangerous, and advise against their use."


Do you have a reference for "most experts advise against their use?" A VED or vacuum erection device is commonly prescribed and is also covered under Medicare/Medicaid. A VED is used with constriction rings that are applied to the penis after using the vacuum to obtain an erection. The rings prevent the blood from escaping from the penis and losing the erection.

You also do not mention another alternative: penile injections of Trimix and Bimix. These are commonly prescribed by urologists that specialize in ED or erectile dysfunction.
3
ROBERT WILLIAMS
how long will you be in the hospital ,how long before i can get started with the pump.
what is the risk,
I was rercently implanted with a AMS700CX penile prosthesis (actually it replaced a simular device implanted 4 years ago).I have had constant discomfort with the penis and the pump. The pump lies close to surface and is in contact with the penis. I am so dicourgaged I am seriously considering having it removed permanently. I am not sexually active (twice in three years)
My Question: What are the permanent side effects and can any thing be used to simulate or produce a semi-errection without the pump? Is scarring damages to the penis in any way repaired, etc. Any info along these lines would be helpful in making my decision. But I am leaning heavly it having it removed. It has been almost 5 years enduring this discomfort, please, any info would be appreciated. thank you Vince
I have a question, I had a penile implant 2 yrs ago. If I had the implant removed would the blood be able to return to the penis to have an erection? thanks
I had a penile implant surgery done March 1, 2011. Several times a week there is blood in my urine. It's been 3 1/2 months since the surgery. Is this common?
7
jimmy jimenez
whats the cost ? I'm diebetic , THe Va been supplying me w/ viagra , this and the other known products does not work, whats the next best thing other than the surgery? and the cost for each
8
salim
I have few questions and I will highly appreciate if they are answered.

Thanks.

1) How many states in India perform Shah's Prosthetic Penile surgery?

2) How much is the total cost?

3) Which department is the right place to contact?

Thanks.

Salim
January 04, 2013
9
JD
I had an implant 5 months ago and I still have sever pain. Been to two doctors who can't find anything wrong. Anyone else have this problem? What did you do?
10
LULU
I HAD THE IMPLANT 2 YEARS AGO, I AM IN CONSTANT PAIN AND MY PENIS HAS BECOME DEFORMED.
I CANNOT HAVE SEX CAUSE IT HURT TOO MUCH. I HEAR THAT IT IS VERY PAINFUL TO HAVE IT REMOVED, IS THIS TRUE.
11
Pat
I han the implant last month and I want it out, I an anxious, depressed and in constant pain. Pills were ok for me. If it is removed will I be able to have erections with pills? Or are the tissues damaged for good?

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