Penile Prosthesis
Penile Prosthesis implant
Implant of a penile prosthesis remains the last tool available to the specialist for the treatment of severe erectile dysfunction. It generally requires 24–48 hours of hospitalization (unless complications occur) but can be performed under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis if a malleable prosthesis is used (a technique pioneered in Italy). The procedure consists in emptying of the corpora cavernosa and replacement with prosthetic cylinders that can be hydraulic, with manual activation and deactivation by means of a pump located in the scrotum and connected to a reservoir, or malleable that is “movable” but always rigid.
Why use a malleable prosthesis?
The malleable penile prosthesis is a well-known solution for erectile dysfunction and represents a “novelty” in that it permits surgery on an outpatient basis and under local anesthesia. Only very few specialists are performing this surgical technique worldwide. There are various justifications for use of such an implant, including aspects of the surgical approach, general considerations, and the advantages of local over general anesthesia. In particular: (1) The surgical incision (as can be seen in the video) is minimal, being about 2 cm on each side of the penis, and the rate of complications due to the surgical approach is correspondingly low in comparison with other techniques. (2) The cost of this outpatient intervention is lower than that associated with inpatient surgery, some articles citing a reduction of about 41% in certain countries. (3) The patient’s privacy is more respected by an outpatient procedure as he will not have to give many explanations to family or friends and the reduced hospital stay decreases the risk of being recognized during hospitalization. (4) There is a reduced risk of urinary tract infections simply because there is no need to catheterize the patient during surgery because of the form of anesthesia. (5) The time on the waiting list is clearly shorter than with a classic intervention. (6) The return to “normal” activity and life is achieved more quickly owing to the type of prosthesis (easier surgical implantation and less complicated handling compared with the hydraulic prosthesis) and the form of surgery (as an outpatient). (7) The side effects and risks of local anesthesia are obviously much lower than when using general anesthesia.
Advantages
Whoever opts for a penile prosthesis implant, has at its disposal a long series of possible advantages and the satisfaction perceived by patients (regardless of the prosthesis that one decides to implant) range from 97% to 98% in all articles reviewing this matter. Who had lost sexual life because of the problem that led him to have a severe erectile dysfunction (“losing” good quality erections), can be now “happy” and has problems solved (at least ones of the sexual sphere…).
About 1 month after surgery, when the stitches are gone and the wound is well closed, the patient can use his prosthesis without limits of use. There are no patients who are dissatisfied after this surgery but all of them have a common “complaint”: “Why I didn’t do it before?” As mentioned before, there are no limits of use of the prosthesis (also more times the same day, clearly as long as the partner allows it), there is no “maintenance” or need to make periodic replacements; pleasure does not change, sensitivity or orgasm too. The only change is having a rigid penis when as it wasn’t before.
The prosthesis, in addition, is 10 years guaranteed, this means that materials used are of extremely high quality, there is nothing that has a similar guarantee.
Dr. Marco Cosentino
Andrological and Urological Treatments
I operate for years as specialized urologist and andrologist. Experience, research and international studies. I have done allows me to treat many problems, dysfunctions or diseases and urological andrology nature. Working with the aim of making each patient regain my intimate and satisfactory sex life.
