A penile prosthesis is a device that is implanted inside the penis to give it the ability to achieve erection. It is a solution for erectile dysfunction.
A penile prosthesis is a mechanical device that is implanted inside the penis in order to give it the ability to achieve erection and maintain rigidity to maintain sexual intercourse with penetration.
This device is composed of two cylinders that are placed inside the corpora cavernosa and perform the function of these to achieve the state of erection. A surgical intervention is necessary for its implantation.
Among all the existing treatments for erectile dysfunction, penile prosthesis is the one with the best satisfaction rates. However, because once implanted it is not possible to resume other treatments, it is the last of the therapeutic options.
Penile implants are usually used when other more conservative treatments such as medication, shock waves or intracavernous injections have not worked, or when the patient wants a definitive solution.
There are two types of penile prostheses and it is important to know the pros and cons of each prosthesis prior to placement:
The erection result is excellent and the detumescence is very natural. For this reason, the satisfaction rate is very high among men and their partners, exceeding 90%. On the other hand, they are somewhat more difficult to use, as you have to learn how to activate and deactivate them, and their cost is higher.
Preoperatively, a blood test with coagulation and urine culture, a chest X-ray and an electrocardiogram are performed. During the anesthetic visit, the anesthesiologist determines, together with the patient, the best anesthesia for the surgery, which is usually spinal or deep sedation, although general anesthesia can also be performed.
There are several incision routes for prosthesis placement: subpubic (behind the pubis), subcoronal (under the glans) or penoscrotal (between the base of the penis and the scrotum). The choice depends on the surgeon and the type of prosthesis. The surgery does not usually take more than 1 hour.
A compressive bandage is applied during the operation, which is usually changed after 24 hours. The patient will go to a post-anesthesia recovery unit while it is validated that the recovery is ideal and that there are no complications.
Admission is usually short, in many cases even non-existent. The following days there should be penile blockade and an optimized analgesic regimen should be followed.
As in any intervention, there may be complications such as urinary retention, or the appearance of hematomas or edema, which will not lead to long-term problems. However, the most feared complication is prosthetic infection, which can lead to its removal. For this reason, infection prevention measures are very strict and make infection infrequent, affecting 1-8% of cases. The mechanical failure rate at 5 years is approximately 10%.
Implantation by expert centers and surgeons reduces the complications associated with the procedure. Our group is recognized by the Ministry of Health as one of the two groups accredited in Spain to perform these procedures.
Once the first month is over, the possibility of infection decreases drastically and sexual activity can be resumed.
The results of the penile prosthesis are very good and the satisfaction rates are very high. These prostheses do not interfere with sexual quality, neither sexual desire, nor orgasm, nor ejaculation are affected.
Penile prostheses are the active - not cosmetic - prosthetic material with the longest average useful life. Some studies indicate that 50% of penile prostheses are active and functioning 15 years after implantation.
It is a permanent solution for erectile dysfunction.
It allows to have an erection at the desired moment.
It allows more spontaneity to enjoy sexual activity when your mood is appropriate.
It allows maintaining the erection for the desired time.
Eliminates the need for pills and injections.
They provide a natural feel for you and your partner.
It does not interfere with daily life. You can go on with your normal life.
They do not interfere with sexual desire, the sensation of orgasm and ejaculation.
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Penile prostheses have an estimated average life of about 10 years and once this time has passed, the prosthesis can be changed with a surgery as simple as the first one.
Yes, sexual desire, orgasm sensation and ejaculation will remain the same. The penile prosthesis is responsible for providing a firm erection, but does not directly affect the ejaculation process. Therefore, the penile prosthesis allows you to regain erectile function and enjoy a satisfying sex life, without interfering with your ability to ejaculate.
The length of the penis is not increased. On the contrary, in some cases a shortening of 1-2 cm is observed. Some prosthesis models allow a 10% increase in size when activated, to try to counteract the loss of penile length caused by erectile dysfunction.
Three-component prostheses are practically unnoticeable, even when naked. The malleable prostheses, by elongating the penis, may be more noticeable, although they are not at all conspicuous.