Complications and Reimplantation of Penile Implants

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Complications of penile prosthesis implants can be divided into surgical and mechanical failure. We investigated penile prosthesis implants to clarify the surgical and mechanical complications that have arisen in our clinical experience. METHODS: In the 11 years between 1984 and 1995, 83 penile prostheses were implanted in 74 patients ranging from 37 to 82 years of age. RESULTS: Of the 64 malleable and mechanical prostheses, 11 were extracted, including 4 removed because of surgical complications and 2 due to mechanical failure. Of the 19 inflatable prostheses, 6 were removed, including 1 extracted due to surgical complication and 5 extracted due to mechanical failure. Nine reimplantations for 8 patients were performed and all these cases had good results. As a result, 66 out of 74 patients could have coitus after prosthetic surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Penile prosthetic surgery is an established method of treating organic impotence, however, it should only be considered for selected and well-informed patients to avoid complications and revision surgery.