Penile Prosthesis

ABOUT PENILE PROSTHESIS

What is a penile prosthesis?

A penile prosthesis is a device that is primarily inserted for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Types of penile prosthesis?

There are three types of implants available:

1. Malleable – two flexible rods are inserted into the penis.
2. Two-piece inflatable – two inflatable cylinders are inserted into the penis. A pump is placed in the scrotum. The cylinders can be inflated and deflated by the pump, but they do not deflate as much as a three-piece implant.
3. Three-piece inflatable – two inflatable cylinders are inserted into the penis. A pump is placed in the scrotum. A fluid reservoir is placed in the abdomen. The pump is used to inflate the cylinders to create a rigid erection and then deflate the cylinders to return the penis to its flaccid state. This is the most commonly used implant.

Why is a penile prosthesis required?

A penile prosthesis is used to treat erectile dysfunction in men for whom other treatment options (such as medications and injections) have been unsuccessful.

Male infertility

Male infertility is the inability to conceive a child due to problems with sperm production, function, or delivery.

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is a disease cause by abnormal growth of cells in the prostate. These cells have the potential to grow within the prostate and spread to other parts of the body.

PATIENT JOURNEY

What does surgery for insertion of a penile prosthesis involve?

Insertion of a penile prosthesis is performed under general anaesthetic (completely asleep).

You will need to fast (nothing to eat or drink) for a period of time prior to your surgery.

To insert the implant, an incision is made at the front of the scrotum, just below the penis. Sometimes, a second incision is also required in the lower abdomen.

What does surgery for insertion of a penile prosthesis involve?

A cylinder will be inserted on each side of the penis. The cylinders are customised to the length of your penis. The cylinders will not increase the length of your penis.

For a two or three-piece prosthesis, a pump (approximately the size of a walnut) is placed in your scrotum.

For a three-piece prosthesis, a reservoir of fluid is placed into your lower abdomen, next to your bladder. It is the size of a small mandarin, but you usually won’t be able to see or feel it.

The implant is completely concealed within your body. You cannot see the implant after surgery, but you will be able to feel the cylinders in your penis and the pump in your scrotum.

What does surgery for insertion of a penile prosthesis involve?

You will be given antibiotics and fluids through a vein during the procedure.

During the procedure, a catheter will be inserted through your urethra (waterpipe) to drain urine from the bladder. This will usually be removed a day or two after the procedure prior to discharge from hospital.

Sometimes a drain (a small plastic tube to drain fluid) is placed in the scrotum during the procedure. It will be removed prior to discharge from hospital.

What is the recovery after insertion of a penile prosthesis?

You will usually be in hospital 1 to 2 nights following surgery.

On discharge from hospital, if you have an inflatable prosthesis inserted, the prosthesis will be partially inflated (a partial erection). This allows the tissues surrounding the cylinders to heal in a way that gives you the best long-term functional outcome. It is important to leave it like this until you return for your appointment when you will be taught how to use the device. This will usually be 3 to 4 weeks after surgery.

You will usually have discomfort, swelling and bruising in your penis, scrotum and perineum for a few weeks after the operation.

What is the recovery after insertion of a penile prosthesis?

You will need to take it easy for the first few weeks after the operation. You can return to sedentary work approximately 2 weeks after the operation. If your job involves physical work, please discuss this with your doctor.

You can resume driving once you are comfortable enough to be able to do an emergency stop (slam your foot on the brake). This is usually about 4 weeks after the operation.

You cannot do any heavy lifting or strenuous work for 6 weeks after the operation.

You will not be able to resume sexual intercourse until after your follow up appointment. This is usually 4 to 6 weeks after the operation.

OUR TEAM

The following doctors in our practice perform insertion of a penile prosthesis:

Dr Gregory Malone

Urologist

Dr Jason Paterdis

Urologist

Book an appointment

Book an appointment to discuss this procedure with one of our doctors.