Penile Prosthesis Implantation: Pearls, Pitfalls, and Perils

Abstract

Penile prosthetic implants have been available for a quarter century. Early in the 1970s paired semirigid devices and multicomponent inflatable implants were first reported in the medical literature.^1–3 Initially, the malleable paired devices were much more popular with implanting surgeons because of lower cost, easier surgical implantation, and better mechanical reliability. The early inflatable devices were plagued with recurrent mechanical breakdown that necessitated multiple revision operations.^4,5 Devices from several different companies have come and gone in the marketplace. The devices that remain have become remarkably dependable mechanically. In fact, some authorities believe the inflatable devices are now more mechanically reliable than the human factor.⁶ In fact, revision surgery may be more likely for hematoma, infection, patient dissatisfaction, or physician error than for mechanical breakdown.