What exactly is a penile prosthesis?
A penile prosthesis is a medical device that is surgically inserted inside the corpora cavernosa of the penis to achieve adequate rigidity when the patient wishes to have sexual intercourse.
What types of penile prosthesis are there?
There are basically 3 types of prostheses depending on their elements: malleable, 2-component and 3-component prostheses.
The first ones are the simplest, but at the same time the least complex. The device makes the penis always rigid and by manipulation it is oriented when it is allowed to have intercourse. On the other hand, the 3-component prosthesis is the most complex, but at the same time it is the one that provides the most natural erection. In addition, it allows the penis to change from flaccid to rigid and vice versa through a pump system, which increases the naturalness of the relations.
In which cases can it be indicated?
Generally speaking, it is indicated in those cases that have failed conservative treatments, either pills, intracavernous injections, shock waves, growth factors or even psychotherapy. In these cases, most patients usually have cardiovascular risk factors leading to severe penile arterial insufficiency as well as patients who have undergone prostate cancer or other pelvic surgeries (cancer of the bladder, rectum, etc.).
It can also be indicated in patients seeking immediate results and maximum efficacy without the need for further treatment.
However, each case must be carefully studied to ensure its success and to reduce possible complications as much as possible.
How is this treatment performed and what is the postoperative period like?
It is performed by surgery. There are different surgical techniques, the most common being the penoscrotal approach (through a small incision in the skin in the midline between the scrotum and the penis) or the suprapubic approach (through a small horizontal incision in the pubic area). Both techniques are. Low invasive, performed under local regional anesthesia (epidural) and in many cases the patient can go home the same day.
The postoperative period consists of local dressings to keep the wound as clean as possible, take antibiotics to prevent infection and relative rest of physical and sexual activity for 1 month. After about 6 weeks, the device is activated.
Can it be complementary to any other treatment?
No. The placement of penile prosthesis is a treatment that provides a complete solution to the problem of erectile dysfunction and does not require any additional treatment. However, as I mentioned before, each case must be analyzed to evaluate its indication.