Monthly Archives: February 2019

Different penile implants: Benefits and Side-Effects

What are the different penile implants? Erectile dysfunction is a typical male sexual disorder or syndrome that affects almost 50% of men. Statistically speaking, out of every two males aged between 40 and 70, one is estimated to be plagued by ED. What is more intriguing is the fact that most men suffering from the condition are loathed to speak or discuss about the same. Prescription pills including Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, and Stendra that generally serve as the primary mode of treatment for ED help resolve the issue in 75%-80% of the cases.

For men whom the first line of treatment proves ineffective fall back on vacuum constriction devices or penile pumps. And for those whom both the first and second-line treatment plans do not work, penile implants are the last resort.

The two basic categories of penile implants

Types of penile implants referred to as penile prostheses are bespoke prosthetic devices which are implanted inside the patient’s external sexual organs (penis and scrotum) using a surgical process. The main function of this implant is to stimulate or trigger an erection in the affected male which otherwise should’ve happened as a matter of course. There are two distinct kinds of penile prosthesis where one type is distinguished from the other regarding design and structure.

Inflatable penile implants

An inflatable penile implant, as the terminology indicates, is a penile prosthetic device that needs to be inflated for taking advantage of it. An inflatable implant has three components-a set of two cylinders, a pump with a release valve, and a small tank or reservoir filled with saline fluid.  There are again two different types of inflatable implants-two-volume and three-volume.

In a two-piece penile prosthesis, the pump and reservoir comprise one section while the cylinders make up another. In a three-piece, the cylinders, pump, and reservoir are separate parts or components.

Pros of three-piece implants

  • You get an erection that is extremely rigid and firm; the erections you get are the most natural amongst all types of implants
  • The implant stays soft, flaccid, and inconspicuous when deflated

Cons

  • Greater manual dexterity is required for operating it compared to all other implant kinds
  • Surgery for this implant is also the most complex, so chances of complications are also the highest
  • Highly vulnerable to malfunctioning and leakage
  • The three-piece implant is the costliest amongst all implant kinds

Advantages of two-piece implants

Pros

  • Easily operable
  • Surgical process is simple; an abdominal incision is not necessary
  • Deflation makes the implant soft and drooping

Cons

  • Erections less firm in comparison to three-volume implants
  • It is also susceptible to leak or dysfunction, like three-piece prostheses
  • Mechanically and structurally it is more complex than semi-rigid implants

Non-inflatable or semi-rigid penile implants

A non-inflatable implant chiefly consists of two metallic rods or cylinders that are sheathed in a silicone base. The rods or tubes which are not inflatable are inserted in the penis. One simply has to lift the penis to use the implanted rods that are always in a semi-rigid state.

Benefits

  • Can be conveniently used by individuals with manual dexterity issues
  • A lesser number of parts makes it less vulnerable to mechanical failure than inflatable implants
  • The surgery is also simpler compared to implantation of inflatable prostheses
  • Least costly

Cons

  • The rigidity of erection is less
  • Difficult to conceal even when it is beneath several layers of cloth
  • Always keeps the internal penis under pressure, so chances of injuries are high

Conclusion

If you need detailed information on penile implant types and the advantages and drawbacks of each, get in touch with the top penile implant surgeon Dr. Yaniv Larish at 212-541-6239.

References

  1. https://www.aarp.org/home-family/sex-intimacy/info-12-2013/sex-erection-viagra-castleman.html
  2. https://malecare.org/penile-implants-the-options-the-pros-and-the-cons-of-the-different-designs/
  3. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/penile-implants/about/pac-20384916
  4. https://zovon.com/hot-topics/sexual-wellness/penile-implants/ 

What to expect before, after, and during penile implant surgery?

Today we will discuss what to expect during penile implant surgery, including pre-op, the surgery itself, and post-op. During a typical penile prosthetic or penile implant surgical procedure, the urologic or prosthetic surgeon will insert semi-rigid, bendable rods or inflatable cylinders inside your penis. If you’ve been recommended an inflatable penile prosthesis, then the surgeon will also place a pump (that is fitted with a discharge valve) and a fluid-filled reservoir in your scrotum and abdomen respectively. Once the surgery is complete and you recuperate fully (that could about 5-6 weeks), you need to inflate and deflate the device as per your need and convenience.

You normally opt for a penile implant operation when conventional modes of treatment, including oral or injectable drugs and vacuum constricted device (VCD or penile pump), have not helped in curing your ED.

Preparing for the penile implant surgical procedure

At the outset, your doctor or surgeon who’ll carry out the implant surgery will go through your medical background as well as perform a detailed physical checkup to ensure that you’re ready for the same. He or she’ll also consider whether your issue can be resolved via alternative treatment plans. Once the physician has given his or her nod for the surgery, you’ll be transferred either to the outpatient department or to a male ward where you’ll stay overnight.

You’ll be put on preoperative antibiotics that’ll you’ll keep taking until the surgery can start the next day.

The surgery: Modus operandi

The surgeon usually makes a penoscrotal or infrapubic opening usually about 3-4cm in size (for implanting an inflatable device). The incisions are usually created in the lower abdomen, right underneath the penis or below its tip (glans penis). The patient is either put on general anesthesia or spinal anesthesia before the surgeon can commence with the process.

Also, the entire that will be operated upon is clean shaved, and a cannula or catheter is inserted so that the same can collect urine. Additionally, an IV tube is installed as well for administering saline, antibiotics or other drugs. After that the penile tissues that become inflated with blood leading to erection are stretched out to facilitate the placement of the inflatable tubes.

Depending on whether you’ve been recommended a two-piece or three-piece penile implant, the surgeon will carry out the relevant placements. For instance, the reservoir containing fluid and the pump with the release valve of a two-volume prosthesis goes inside the scrotum. And for the three-piece valve, where the pump and reservoir are separate components, the former is positioned inside the scrotum, and the latter is instilled below the wall of the lower abdomen.

After the surgery is through, the surgeon sterilizes the entire area and sutures the opening or openings. Depending upon the type of implant, the operation usually takes 30-50 minutes. The surgery is normally conducted as an outpatient mode.

Recovery after surgery

Following the completion of the surgery, your physician walks you through instructions and tips on taking care of the operated site as well as on the procedure of using the device. You’ll need to take painkillers and anodynes in the first couple of weeks for getting relief from pain as well as have to take antibiotics for lessening the chances of infection. Though it could take many weeks to recuperate fully, you may be able to resume your normal activities within a week or two.

Significantly enough, you could go back to enjoying sex with your partner 5-6 weeks after surgery.

Concluding remarks

Approximately, 90-95% of inflatable penile implant surgical procedures are effective in that they enable men to have erections robust enough for fulfilling intercourse. If you want to know more about penile implant surgery, call Dr. Larish today at 212-541-6239.

References

  1. https://www.healthline.com/health/erectile-dysfunction/penile-implant-surgery#recovery
  2. https://www.edcure.org/articles/after-penile-implant-surgery-what-to-expect-following-infrapubic-inflatable-penile-prosthesis-ipp-placement/
  3. https://www.edcure.org/articles/recovering-from-penile-implant-surgery/
  4. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320918.php
  5. https://www.urologicalcare.com/penile-implants-prosthesis/penile-implant-post-op-care/