Urologist
What is a penile prosthesis?
Penile prostheses are devices that are placed inside the corpus cavernosum, which provide erection, and can provide penis hardness that will allow the person to have sexual intercourse. There are two types: 1. Inflatable, 2. Flexible.
What is the difference between penile prosthesis types?
Inflatable prostheses are the ones that most closely resemble the way a penis works. In patients with inflatable prostheses, the penis is not rigid except during sexual intercourse; the prosthesis is inflated using a pump next to the testicle just before sexual intercourse and deflated after intercourse. Flexible prostheses, as the name suggests, have a standard hardness, but this hardness is not enough to prevent bending. Sexual intercourse can be achieved by straightening the prosthesis before intercourse.
How is a penile prosthesis inserted?
It can be installed in an approximately 1-hour surgery. The surgery can be performed through the lower abdomen or through an incision made on the scrotum. Both types of prostheses can be installed through the same incision.
Inflatable prostheses consist of a total of 4 parts: 1. Cylinder to be placed in the right cavernosum, 2. Cylinder to be placed in the left cavernosum, 3. Reservoir to store the fluid to be transferred to the cylinders for erection before intercourse, 4. Pump. The cylinders are placed inside the penis, the reservoir in front of the bladder and the pump in front of the testicle. All parts are placed through a single incision; that is, separate incisions and stitches are not required for each part.
Flexible prostheses consist of two parts: 1. Cylinder to be placed in the right cavernosum, 2. Cylinder to be placed in the left cavernosum.
The patient is discharged the day following the surgery. The prosthesis can be used 1 month after the surgery.