Penile implant surgery is a time-tested procedure for restoring full erection to patients with erectile dysfunction in whom medical treatment for ED had failed. Penile implants have been in wide use for over four decades and have developed immensely along the years, with several types of penile implants to chose from. Erection looks and feels natural, but is stringer than ever.
Contents
What are the types of penile implants?
The types of penile implants fall into two broad categories:
1- Malleable Penile Implants
2-Inflatable Penile Implants
Both types of penile implant give excellent erection. The main difference between the two types of penile prosthesis is in the way they are when not in the erect state: soft penis with the inflatable penile implant, versus hard but bent and concealed penis with the malleable implant.
The Inflatable Penile Prosthesis
Synonyms: #hydraulic_penile_prosthesis , #hydraulic_penile_prosthesis , #inflatable_penile_implant
The inflatable penile implant is the type of penile implant that makes the penis closest ever to normal. The penis will look natural, alternating between flaccidity and rigidity as required.
The cylinders of inflatable type of penile implant are soft and empty. When filled up with fluid, they become full and hard, just like a normal penis alternates between the soft and hard states. The cylinders of the inflatable type of penile implant are inserted in the penis, along its whole length; two of them.
The fluid that fills the cylinders of the inflatable type of penile implant is inside a small reservoir. The small reservoir is placed hidden in the abdomen. a small pump hidden in the scrotum regulates the flow of fluid from the reservoir to the cylinders and back. Thus, erection and flaccidity are induced by manipulating the pump that is in the scrotum. Those are the three parts of the ” three-piece inflatable penile implant “.
It is important to note that none of these parts are visible. They are all hidden inside the body.
It is also important to note that all three parts of the inflatable type of penile implant are inserted into the body through a single small cut, 3-5cm long, in a 30 minutes surgery.
Apart from the three-piece inflatable penile implant, there is also the two-piece inflatable penile implant. This penile prosthesis is also fluid filled, but does not have a reservoir. Just the penis cylinders and the pump. It is mostly used in cases where there had been previous particular abdominal surgery, where the surgeon may find it safer not to place a reservoir in the abdomen.
Pros the inflatable penile implant
- Excellent concealment: when erection is not needed, the penis is soft.
- Maximum width: the inflatable type of penile prosthesis can be pumped up until the maximum girth of the penis is reached.
- Natural rigidity, un-bendable: When the inflatable type of penile prosthesis is in the erect state (inflated), it will not bend. It will only go soft (deflated) by pressing a special part of the pump. Therefore, it will not bend on pressure.
Cons of the inflatable penile implant
The inflatable type of penile prosthesis has a low rate of mechanical failure. Statistics indicate that after 16 years of use, some 40% of inflatable penile implants will need to be revised.
Who makes inflatable penile implants?
Coloplast makes the Coloplast Titan Three Piece Inflatable Penile Implant
Boston Scientific makes the AMS-700 Three Piece Inflatable Penile Implant and the Ambicore Two-Piece inflatable penile prosthesis,
The Malleable Penile Prosthesis
Synonyms: #semirigid_penile_prosthesis , #malleable_penile_implant , #semirigid_penile_implant , #flexible_penile_implant , #flexible_penile_prosthesis
The semirigid or flexible type of penile implant also gives excellent rigidity to the penis. However, the semirigid penile implant does not go soft. It bends (flexible) so that it can be concealed.
The malleable types of penile implant is far more simple in design compared to the inflatable types of penile prosthesis. This makes them much less prone to mechanical failure, if ever. Moreover, surgery is far more simple. Nevertheless, for experienced implanters, either types of penile implants are every-day surgery.
The flexible types of penile implants are composed of rods. Two rods are implanted inside the penis, totally concealed. Each penile implant rod is composed of a flexible, bendable metal core that confers rigidity, enclosed in a medical-grade silicon sheath that provides a firm life-like feeling to the implant rather than a metal-like feeling.
Pros of the malleable penile implant
- Much cheaper than the inflatable penile implant
- Much less prone to mechanical failure than the inflatable penile implant
- Just cylinders to insert, no reservoir and pump to be inserted
Cons of the malleable penile implant
- Although it can be bent for concealment, the inflatable penile implant is much more concealable.
- Fixed width. Therefore, the experienced implanter must try to insert the maximum girth possible.
- Since it is flexible, it can bend upon pressure. Not a big deal, almost every man with a malleable penile implant is able to avoid this bending during sex.
Who makes semirigid penile implants?
Coloplast makes the Coloplast Genesis, which is unique for having a hydrophilic coat. What this is, is a chemical coat when in contact with fluid, it has the content of that fluid stick to it. Why this is important? When we take out the coloplast genesis from its sterile package during surgery, we soak it in fluid containing an antibiotic. This antibiotic will stick to the Coloplast Genesis penile implant and will be active around the implant for several days following surgery. This decreases the infection rates.
Advanced Penile Implant Surgery, Plus Restoration of Length