At a glance
- Anaesthesia
- General
- Duration
- About 1 hour
- Hospital stay
- 24 hours
- Recovery
- Sex after 1 month
Causes of erectile dysfunction
A person’s erectile function can be affected by many factors. In every case we proceed to penile prosthesis surgery. Erectile dysfunction may be due to:
- Organic or psychogenic impotence, when less invasive treatments are ineffective or not tolerated
- Peyronie’s disease, when associated with erectile dysfunction
- Penile fibrosis after priapism or after treatment with intracavernosal injections
Penile prostheses: the artificial sphincter implantation procedure
Penile prostheses are two cylinders made of special materials (silicone, titanium and special plastics) that are implanted inside the corpora cavernosa of the penis (the two tubular structures that fill with blood and produce an erection) in men with erectile dysfunction, when other treatment options (medication, intracavernosal injections, vacuum devices) have failed or cannot be used.
Erectile dysfunction surgery
- A small incision at the base of the penis, where the scrotum begins
- After the corpora cavernosa are identified and prepared locally, we make two small incisions in their wall, insert special dilators and then, after measuring with a special instrument, choose the length of the prosthesis.
- We carefully prepare a space in the scrotum, between and behind the testicles, and place a valve-pump that controls the filling of the cylinders.
- Through the same incision we create a space behind the pubic bone for the fluid reservoir (balloon), whose fluid moves through the valve to and from the cylinders in the corpora cavernosa, to “inflate” them each time an erection is wanted.
What kind of anaesthesia is needed?
Penile prosthesis surgery is performed under general anaesthesia.
How long does the procedure take?
Erectile dysfunction surgery takes 1 hour.
Result
The result is excellent.
After erectile dysfunction surgery
- Antibiotics are prescribed
- The patient can be up and about the same afternoon
- The hospital stay is 24 hours
- An elastic bandage is applied for 1 to 2 days
Penile prostheses: key points
- This treatment is appropriate when all other methods have failed
- There are two types of prosthesis: semi-rigid and inflatable
- It is not a natural erection
- A reduction in length and an unusual sensation in the corpora are sometimes noticed
- Concealment can be a problem with semi-rigid devices
- Mechanical failures and complications occasionally occur
Frequently asked questions
How much pain is there?
Pain after erectile dysfunction surgery, as reported by our patients, is minimal.
Is there a risk of complications with penile prosthesis surgery?
Complications may include some minor swelling or haematoma and, in rare cases, mechanical failure of part of the prosthesis. The rate is about 5% over 5 years (covered by the manufacturer). The infection rate is only 1%, provided there are no additional risk factors such as diabetes or a re-implantation. Finally, in exceptional cases there may be deformity or erosion of the prosthesis, due to miscalculation of the length or migration of the cylinders. Choosing a specialised, experienced surgeon is very important to avoid such complications.
When can I have sex again after erectile dysfunction surgery?
After 1 month.
This information is for general guidance only. The right treatment is decided only after a clinical examination. The cost depends on the type of procedure and the patient's clinical picture. For this reason, please contact the doctor personally.