Inflatable Penis Implants

If medicine doesn’t help, we may recommend a penile prosthesis (or implant). This consists of two artificial cylinders surgically placed under the skin. It does not make the penis longer or change the feeling of the erection.

A pump in the abdomen stores fluid that fills cylinders in your penis when you want an erection. When you press a valve in the scrotum, it sends the fluid back to the reservoir.

What is an Inflatable Penile Prosthesis?

Penile implant surgery is a surgical procedure to restore erectness for men with ED. There are two types of penile implants: rigid and inflatable. The rigid device has semi-rigid rods that are inserted into the corpora cavernosa of the penis to provide rigidity. It’s similar to a man’s natural penis but is always firm and doesn’t require pumping.

Inflatable penile implants transfer fluid from a reservoir implanted in the abdomen to the cylinders that form the erect penis to create an erection. They work similarly to a bicycle pump, but are more convenient because you can control the size of the erection through the amount of fluid pumped in and out of the device.

Your health care provider will recommend a type of penile implant based on your age, your risk for infection and the results of a physical exam and history of diseases, injuries or other medical treatments you’ve had. Different designs are available for a wide range of penile shapes and sizes. Some have antibiotic coatings to reduce bacteria and a coating that helps reduce friction, possibly lengthening the life of the device.

After penile implant surgery, your groin and abdomen might feel sore for 48 to 72 hours. Your health care provider may give you medications to ease pain. Most men resume sexual activity about 4 to 6 weeks after surgery.

How is an Inflatable Penile Prosthesis inserted?

Inflatable penis implants are inserted during surgery in a hospital or outpatient surgery center. The surgery takes 1-2 hours and is performed under anesthesia. A surgeon creates an incision in the groin area, then places inflatable cylinders inside the penis (or bendable rods, if you have a malleable implant). The size of the cylinders is customized to your body measurements. If you have a three-piece inflatable device, your doctor will also implant a pump and valve in your scrotum using the initial incision or, if needed, a second incision in your abdomen. Then, the surgeon sews the incisions closed.

After a few hours in the recovery room, artificial penis your healthcare providers will make sure you are able to wake up without discomfort. They will check your groin and abdominal areas for pain, teach you how to control the pain, and give you antibiotics. You may need a friend or family member to drive you home after the procedure.

Most people who undergo penile implant surgery have ED and Peyronie’s disease that doesn’t improve with other conservative treatments, such as medication or vacuum constriction devices. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons of this treatment with your doctor before deciding whether or not it’s right for you. This is a major decision that could change your life. You may want to think about what it will be like to live without ED and how it might affect your relationship with others.

What are the risks of an Inflatable Penile Prosthesis?

The cylinders used in an inflatable penis make the implant stiff, but do not change sensation or a man’s ability to reach orgasm. In addition, the cylinders may not produce an erection that is as long or as thick as a natural one. Men should talk with their doctor about realistic expectations with this implant.

Newer penile implants are very reliable, but they can break or malfunction. They can be fixed by surgery, but this often takes several weeks after the procedure. An infection can occur around the area of the implant and may require a drain or surgery. Infection can also cause the implant to leak or to lose its shape or become longer or shorter. This is rare but can affect a man’s sexual function or cause problems with the urethra.

Other risks of a penile implant include scrotal swelling (edema), auto-inflation, discomfort, angulation or curvature, ejaculation, pain, fever, Dildo Manufacturers a leak at the wound site, migration, or a narrowing of the opening for the foreskin (phimosis). In general, it is best to talk with your physician about which implant is right for you. He or she will consider your age, health condition and the type of erection you want. He or she can also explain the benefits of this solution to you in more detail.

What are the benefits of an Inflatable Penile Prosthesis?

Typically, men with inflatable penile prostheses report high levels of satisfaction with their implants. They say that the devices look and feel natural, are easy to use and produce erections that are suitable for sexual intercourse.

In studies using validated questionnaires, patients reported satisfying results with a variety of questions that measure erectile function and orgasm. These include the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and the Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS).

The most common design of an inflatable implant consists of two fluid-filled cylinders surgically attached to a pump that is placed in the scrotal sac. Tubing connects the cylinders to a reservoir of saline that is implanted under the abdominal muscles in the lower part of the abdomen and to a pump that sits under the loose skin of the scrotal sac, between the testicles.

When inflated, the prosthesis can create an erection that is stiff and thick, similar to the length of a man’s normal penis. Modern penile implant models also have cylinders that can slightly increase the size of the head of the prosthesis, which can help improve the appearance and feel of an artificial penis.

There are also two-piece inflatable penile prostheses, in which the reservoir and pump are combined into a unit that fits comfortably in the scrotum. These require less surgery than the three-piece device. Generally, the cylinders in these two-piece implants are not as large as those in the three-piece device, so the erection produced may not be as firm.