About penile implants

how-does-inflatable-penile-implant-work-03 A penile implant is a specialized medical device that is surgically implanted within the penis and the scrotal sacs of men diagnosed with erectile dysfunction. The surgical procedure is carried out on ED patients for whom the traditional or contemporary treatment has proved ineffective. The penile implant which is bespoke enables the individual to have and feel an erection that is almost natural.

A man whose erectile dysfunction can be traced to an underlying medical condition is a potential or ideal candidate for a penile implant. Since the implanting of the prosthetic device involves surgery, the patient should be aware of what the procedure is about, the likely complications and risks, and postsurgical care.

Penile implants types

All different kinds of penile implant devices can be grouped under two broad categories-inflatable implants and semi-rigid implants. The modus operandi for both types is distinct, and each has its advantages and drawbacks.

Semi-rigid implants: The most distinguishing feature of semi-rigid penile implants is their steady firmness. This distinctive quality implies that the device can be manipulated for performing coitus and moving the same in the direction of the pelvis for disguising. The segmentations that keep the semi-rigid implant flexible are held in place by springs attached on either side.
Inflatable implants: As the name suggests, an inflatable penile device can be blown up like a balloon for facilitating an erection and easily deflated as well. Inflatable implants are the most extensively used penile implant devices. A typical inflatable implant has three sections-a reservoirs or pool for holding the fluid and inserted beneath the abdominal layer, a piston and a discharge valve that is embedded in the scrotum, and two tubes (implanted inside the penis) that can be inflated.

When the individual wishes to have an erection, he forces the fluid into the tubes by pumping the reservoir. Once he is through with coitus, he opens the valve so that fluid can drain back into the tank. Two-piece models are also available where the pump and reservoir makeup one single section and operate in the same manner as three-piece models.

A few models of inflatable implants have antibiotic or antibacterial coatings to minimize infection risks.

Benefits

Penile implant surgery is an intensely invasive form of surgical procedure that is usually chosen as a last resort for dealing with ED. Nearly 95% of men who underwent this surgery have reported having an erection robust enough for coitus. The device which usually has a 10-year functional lifespan has lived up to its expectations in 60-80% of the cases.

Side effects

The usual complications of a penile implant surgery entail:

Infection
Excessive bleeding post surgery (that might necessitate a re-surgery)
Formation of scar tissues
Tearing of tissue surrounding the implant
Mechanical failure (calling for a re-surgery to remove the implant)

Precautions

inflatable-penile-implant-info-best-nyc-doctors-02 You’ll not be allowed to take food, water or drinks the night before the surgery. You’ll also have to stop taking certain medications, like NSAIDs and aspirin to keep the risk of infection at bay. A responsible person will have to drive you home as you’ll not be in a position to leave the hospital on your own.

At home, you’ll have to take prescribed medicines and antibiotics for getting relief from pain and reducing chances of infection respectively. You’ll be able to start having sex with your partner about a month and a half following surgery. You’ll need to follow all other instructions recommended by the doctor to avoid complications in the future.

Prognosis

Most males who consider going in for a penile implant operation are extremely concerned about the recovery period. Luckily for them, the recuperation phase is normally faster than they’d like to believe. Majority of patients recover considerably within 2-3 weeks and go back to having sex in nothing less than six weeks after surgery.

Concluding remarks

Opting for a penile implant has proven to be an efficient way of treating ED. However, the surgery could profoundly diminish the natural urge of having an erection which in turn implies that you’ll always have to fall back on the implant for the same. Regardless of the drawbacks associated with penile implant surgery, most of the men are still willing to go ahead with the procedure.

If you wish to know more about penile implants, you can get in touch with our prosthetic surgeon.

References

Choosing which Penile Implant Sugery

What Type of Penile Implant Would Be the Best for Me?

If you’ve decided to go for a penile implant, you’ve made the right choice. If you’ve exhausted every other method with no results, a good penile implant can be life changing. However, before you decide to get an implant, you have to understand the various types available on the market and weigh up the benefits and disadvantages of each before you make a decision. Here’s a rundown of various penile implants so you can make the right choice.

Non-Inflatable Implants

Non-inflatable penile implants are the simplest type of penile implants on the market. Non-inflatable penile implants, often referred to as semi rigid rod implants, consist of a rod that is inserted directly into the penis. All you have to do is push the penis down from your abdomen or up from your scrotum before intercourse. Semi rigid implants are a bit similar to a gooseneck lamp that you can adjust and move in various directions.

One of the biggest advantages of non-inflatable implants is that they are easy to use and more importantly, very cheap. The procedure is also less invasive. However, the biggest issue with these types of implants is that the penis stays constantly firm, which can be an issue at times.

Two Piece Inflatable Implants

Two-piece inflatable penile implants consist of two cylinders that are inserted into the penis and attached to a pump that is installed in the scrotum. By gently pressing on the pump in the scrotum, you’ll be sending fluid into the cylinders allowing you to achieve an erection.

One of the biggest benefits of two-piece inflatable implants over semi rigid ones is that you’ll have much more control over your erections. However, these types of implants won’t give you the most rigid erection that you can have.

Three Piece Inflatable Implants

Three-piece inflatable implants are in many ways very similar to two-piece inflatable implants with the exception that a reservoir attached to the pump containing a sterile solution will be implanted into the abdomen. This solution will be sent directly into the cylinders to create an erection.

The best thing about these implants is that they create the most authentic looking and satisfying erections. They also act very fast, if you don’t want to lose spontaneity during intercourse. The only issue is that these types of implants are a bit more expensive and the procedure a bit more invasive.

Now that you know the difference between different penile implant types, you’ll be able to choose which model would work the best according to your needs. If you want more information about penile implants and the procedure in general, contact us today to schedule an appointment with the best penile implant doctor in NYC.