About this page. This is a plain English summary of penile prosthesis (implant) surgery for erectile dysfunction. It does not replace medical advice from your own doctor or specialist.
For full information and references, please read the detailed page.
When a penile implant is considered
Erectile dysfunction is common - around 40% of Australian men - but most respond well to tablets, vacuum pumps, or injection therapy. A penile prosthesis is usually considered when those options have been tried and have not given a satisfactory result, or when they are not suitable for your particular situation. Dr Kooner finds that this option is, in his view, underused given how well it works for the right patient.
How the device works
The penis contains two natural cylinders of spongy tissue that fill with blood during an erection. A penile prosthesis replaces this mechanism mechanically. The implant has three parts, all hidden under the skin:
- Two soft plastic cylinders, placed inside the natural cylinders of the penis.
- A small pump, sitting in the scrotum between the testicles.
- A small fluid reservoir filled with saline, tucked inside the abdomen.
To get an erection, you squeeze the small pump in the scrotum. Saline moves from the reservoir into the cylinders, and an erection forms. When you are finished, a release button returns the fluid to the reservoir and the erection settles. The erection can be maintained for as long as desired.
The operation
It is a relatively straightforward operation, done through a small incision either just above the penis or in the area between the penis and the scrotum. The operation takes about an hour. Once healed, nothing is visible on the outside - other people cannot tell that the device is there.
Outcomes and risks
- Patient satisfaction with this device, in published series, is consistently high (around 95%).
- The main complication is a roughly 1% risk of infection. If an implant becomes infected, it has to be removed and (where appropriate) replaced at a later operation.
- Some scar discomfort is common in the first few weeks afterwards and usually settles.
- Like any device, the prosthesis can wear out over many years. If that happens, it can usually be replaced.
- An implant treats erections - it does not change desire, sensation, ejaculation, or fertility on its own.
Important things to know
- A penile prosthesis is permanent - the natural erection tissue is changed during the operation, so going back to tablets, pumps or injections afterwards is not possible.
- For this reason, this option is usually considered after the simpler treatments have been tried.
- As with any operation, there are general risks of bleeding, infection, and risks of the anaesthetic. Your specialist will discuss these in your specific situation.
- Choosing this option is a personal decision and is best made together with your partner where appropriate.
What you can do next
- Read the full detailed page with references and patient brochures.
- Short version: erectile dysfunction and the simpler treatments (tablets, vacuum pump, injections).
- Short version: sexual rehabilitation after prostate surgery.
- Request a second opinion on a treatment plan.
- Call 02 8382 6980 to make an appointment.