Penile Prosthesis for Erectile Dysfunction

In men suffering from end stage erectile dysfunction, getting a penile prosthesis may enable them to lead a normal sexual life. Most of the patients suffering from erectile dysfunction benefit with medicines like Viagra (sildenafil), Cialis (tadalafil) and Levitra (vardenafil). However, in certain patients, these medicines are unable to produce the desired effect. Similarly, patients who have undergone radical prostatectomy also suffer from erectile dysfunction. In men, whose erectile dysfunction cannot be treated with medications or with the use of devices like a penis pump, penile prosthetic implants are the answer.

 

Types of Penile Prostheses

There are two types of penile prostheses. They are:

• Semi-Rigid Devices: These are usually made up of malleable stainless steel rods covered with silicone. These rods are surgically placed inside the erection chambers. The rods can be easily manipulated to point in the upward direction during sex and point downwards in other circumstances so that the device is concealed under clothing. The biggest disadvantage with semi-rigid devices is that the penis always remains firm which can be quite embarrassing.
• Inflatable Devices: These may be three-piece or two-piece devices. In the three piece device, there is a reservoir filled with fluid placed in the abdomen, a pump with a release valve placed in the scrotum, and two inflatable cylinders which are placed in the penile tissue. When the pump in the scrotum is squeezed, fluid from the reservoir fills the inflatable cylinders in the penis which becomes erect. After the intercourse, pushing the release valve causes the fluid to flow back into the reservoir, emptying the cylinders inside the penis. Find more information about Erectile Dysfunction treatment here.

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In the two piece device, instead of being placed in the abdomen, the reservoir is combined with the pump unit and placed in the scrotal bag. As the space in the scrotum is less, the reservoir is smaller in size. So the reaction may not be adequate at times.

 

Effectiveness of Penile Prostheses

The erection produced by inflatable devices is suitable for intercourse in 90% to 95% of cases. Majority of men using inflatable implants are satisfied with the results.

 

Advantages of Penile Prostheses

• Erection can be attained anytime the men desire.
• Erection can be sustained for as long as the men want
• As the inflatable devices can be inflated and deflated easily, they make the penis look natural.

 

Disadvantages of Penile Prostheses

• The semi-rigid devices make the penis look erect all the time.
• The reservoir may leak or a large implant may cause the skin of the penis to break in case of inflatable devices. In both the conditions, surgical repair may be necessary.
• Like any other surgery, penile prosthesis implantation may be associated with severe blood loss, infection and scar tissue formation.
• Possible penile shrinkage over time.

 

Penile Shortening Treatment After Insertion of Penile Prosthesis for Erectile Dysfunction

Using his patented and 510(K) cleared subcutaneous soft silicone implant (ELIST Implant), Dr. Elist has helped many men with penile shortening after prosthesis surgery not to only regain their lost length, but gain additional length and girth.

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Important Points:

• It does not increase the size of penis. On the contrary, in some cases, the size of penis may decrease after surgery.
• It does not have any bearing on sexual desire.
• It does not have any effect on the sensation on the skin of the penis.
• It does not affect ejaculation.
• It may destroy natural erection reflex. Once the device is removed, the patient may not have natural erections ever again.

 

Contraindications for Penile Prosthesis

Penile prostheses are not recommended in certain cases. They are:

• Erectile dysfunction arising out of emotional conditions.
• Reversible erectile dysfunction
• Conditions like urinary tract infection or lung disease
• Skin lesions of penis or scrotum

 

Reference:

“Penile Prosthesis Implantation for End-Stage Erectile Dysfunction after Radical Prostatectomy,” by Drogo K Montague. Published in the 2005 issue of the journal Reviews in Urology, accessed on March 20, 2015. Retrieved from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1477598/