Penile prostheses are devices that are surgically inserted into the penis to help men with erectile dysfunction (ED) get an erection. Penile prostheses are typically recommended after other treatments for ED have failed. There are two main types of penile prosthesis, semi-rigid and inflatable.

Inflatable implants Inflatable devices, the most common type of penile implant, can be inflated to create an erection and deflated at other times. Three-piece inflatable implants use a fluid-filled reservoir placed under the abdominal wall, a pump and a relief valve located in the scrotum, and two inflatable cylinders inside the penis.

To get an erection, you pump fluid, which is salt water, from the chamber into the cylinders. You then release the valve inside the scrotum to drain the fluid back into the chamber.

The two-piece model works similarly, but the fluid reservoir is part of the pump that is placed in the scrotum. In both devices, the reservoir is filled with saline on the day of surgery and remains in the device.

Semi-rigid implants Semi-rigid devices are always solid. The penis can be bent away from the body for sexual activity and towards the body for concealment.

A positionable penile implant is a semi-rigid device with a central series of segments held together by a spring at both ends. It can hold up and down positions better than other semi-rigid bars.

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POSTOPERATIVE

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You will stay in the hospital for 1 night after the procedure. Depending on your body's response to the anesthesia, you may be able to eat soon after.

You may have a urinary catheter to empty the bladder, which will be removed the next day. If you have a drain, it will be removed the next day. The dressing is changed the next day and you will be shown how to change the bandage. This should be done every day for 5 days.

It is also necessary to keep the penis dry for 2 days. You can shower on the second day after surgery, but you should try to keep the incision dry.

You will be given a prescription for pain relievers and antibiotics to take home, but the best pain relief is an ice pack. On the first day, you should put an ice pack on the penis intermittently. Most patients have painful erections at night. If you put an ice pack on the penis, the pain will be relieved in a few minutes.

Depending on the type of prosthesis and the type of work you do, you should return to work within 1-2 weeks.

Sexual intercourse is not recommended for 6 weeks and you should avoid all strenuous activities those may contact with the prosthesis or its components. We will activate your device and show you its usage at your follow-up visit in 5 to 6 weeks.

Generally, the lifespan of penile implants is between 15 and 20 years.

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