Penile Implant
Alternate Names : Penile Prosthesis
A penile implant is a device placed inside the penis. The device allows men
with erectile dysfunction to have an erection.
Who is a candidate for the procedure?
Erectile dysfunction, sometimes known as impotence, is a condition in which a man is not able to achieve or sustain an erection. As a result, he cannot have intercourse or impregnate a woman. A penile implant, which requires surgery, is one of the treatments used for some men with erectile dysfunction.
Different treatments are used for erectile dysfunction, depending on the cause. For example, depression, anxiety, and drugs or medications can cause erectile dysfunction. In these cases, the cause can often be treated and an
implant would not be used.
Other causes of erectile dysfunction cannot be treated directly. In these cases, an
implant may be useful if other treatments do not work. Possible candidates for
an implant include men with erectile dysfunction due to:
diabetes
blood vessel blockage or leakage
previous surgery in the genital area
prostate
cancer,
bladder cancer, or colon cancer
Peyronie's disease, which is
scarring inside the penis that occurs for unknown reasons
previous injury or damage to the pelvis, genitals, or spinal cord
long-term or chronic disease, such as chronic renal failure, alcoholism, or Parkinson's disease
medications that cannot be stopped, such as chemotherapy for cancer
congenital defects of the genitals, or abnormalities present at birth
How is the procedure performed?
Once the decision is made to have a penile implant, the type of device must be chosen. There are three main types of implants. The three types are called rods, simple inflatable devices, and complex inflatable devices.
When rods are inserted into the penis, a permanent erection occurs. The penis can be bent down so that it is not noticed under the clothing. The penis can be straightened for sex easily. Advantages include low cost, ease of use, and the
lowest risk of problems from the surgery or the device itself. The main
disadvantages are the constant erection, which may show through tight clothing, and the unnatural appearance of the penis.
Simple inflatable implants allow the man to control his erections by inflating and deflating the device. The surgery is more complicated than it is for a rod device. The implant is also more expensive. This implant doesn't make the penis get as erect as the rod does. It also doesn't deflate as much as the complex
inflatable devices.
The complex inflatable implants are thought to be the best devices, but they are more expensive and complicated. They also have the highest risk of
malfunction or problems from the surgery. The most complex of these devices has three parts, with one in the penis, one in the scrotum, and one in the abdomen. This device provides the most natural appearance of an erection, with an
increase in length and width of the penis. Inflating and deflating the implant
controls erections.
The type of surgery depends on the device and the surgeon. The rod and simple
inflatable devices may be done in a same
day
surgery setting. This means that the person can go home the same day as
the surgery. The complex inflatable devices may require a few days in the
hospital.
Surgery may be done with general
anesthesia, which means that the man is put to sleep with medications.
Other types of pain control may also be used. The doctor will discuss the
options for pain control before surgery.
The incisions in the skin used to insert the device may be on the penis, the
scrotum, or the skin above or below the penis and scrotum. This depends on the
device and the surgeon's preferred method.
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