Penile Prosthesis
Prosthetic surgery to treat erectile dysfunction has undergone great advances in recent years, both in materials and surgical techniques, which has reduced complications and increased patient satisfaction.
The penile prosthesis replaces the corpora cavernosa, which are the organs responsible for activating the erection of the penis, with cylinders that are activated by means of a button at the patient's will. The implantation of a penile prosthesis is the last therapeutic resort in certain cases of erectile dysfunction in which other treatments, mainly oral medication and intracavernous injections, have failed. It is also used in cases of Peyronie's disease or penile incurvation together with erectile dysfunction.
At GUA we are pioneers in the implantation of penile prostheses in the Canary Islands with more than 350 cases performed. We have been performing this surgery for more than 30 years and in each process we learn, refine and improve our technique, our operated patients have great satisfaction for having regained a full sexual life.
Details of prosthetic surgery
What problem does this treatment solve?
Erectile dysfunction that does not respond to other treatments.
Areas to be treated:
Penis and scrotum. May have a reservoir to feed the system, placed in front of the bladder (through the same incision).
What does the pre-op consist of?
- Blood tests.
- Electrocardiogram.
- Assessment by anaesthesia team.
What is the approximate duration of the procedure?
Between 90 and 120 minutes.
Equipment:
The patient leaves the operating theatre with a bladder catheter, which is removed the following morning.
Does it require anaesthesia?
Epidural or General.
Does it require admission or is it ambulatory?
Admission to the 24-hour clinic.
How should the patient be cared for after the operation?
- Relative rest 4 days.
- Nursing care of the surgical wound until the first training check-up, which is after 4 weeks.
- During this time you can lead a normal life, without violent physical exercise. Cycling and gymnastics are not recommended.
- The patient is able to walk.
Approximate recovery time:
At 4 weeks, training functioning and able to have sexual intercourse.
Does it leave scars?
The scar is in the midline, where there is already a marked suture in the scrotum, called the "median raphe", making it virtually invisible.
What results should the patient expect?
Functional results in 4 weeks. The prosthesis "assimilates" or "biointegrates" in 6 months.
Additional aspect:
During the postoperative period all consultations and possible treatments will be included in the surgery budget.
Frequently Asked Questions about Penile Prosthesis
What is the mechanism of the penile prosthesis?
It works as a hydraulic system that moves the fluid between the different components of the prosthesis to increase or decrease the rigidity of the penis according to the patient's demand. It allows the patient to have an erection whenever he wishes without affecting the sensitivity of the penis.
What are the consequences of a return to flaccidity?
With the current models, erection and detumescence (return to the flaccid state) are practically identical to the physiological ones.
How does the patient who depends on the prosthesis for sexual intercourse feel?
The reaction is excellent because it does not affect sexual desire, ejaculation or orgasm. It is common for patients with penile prostheses to feel potent again and to increase their sexual desire and interest in resuming intercourse.
Where is the prosthesis implanted?
The intervention area is the penis and scrotum. The prosthesis is implanted through a small incision of just 2 centimetres in the scrotum, which is practically imperceptible.
What is the operation time, type of anaesthesia and duration in the clinic?
The estimated time is 90 to 120 minutes. The type of anaesthesia is general or epidural and the hospital stay is 24 hours, because the bladder catheter is removed the following day and the patient leaves the operating theatre with it.
What is the medical prescription for the postoperative period?
The patient goes home the day after the operation, with progressively less rest and outpatient care. Sexual activity is possible four weeks after the operation. Subsequent consultations and check-ups during the first six months are included in the surgery fee.
For which patients is prosthetic surgery recommended?
Penile prosthesis implantation surgery is the surgical treatment for those patients in whom all other treatments fail or cannot be applied to the patient due to side effects or intolerance. Patients with Peyronie's disease or penile incurvation together with erectile dysfunction are also an indication for penile prosthesis placement.
Why choose GUA for prosthetic surgery?
The GUA team is the leader in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in this type of surgery. We have more than 30 years of experience behind us, with magnificent results in terms of sexual function with no rejection or infection to date.
These results are influenced, of course, by the skill and cleanliness of the procedure, but also by the prostheses we implant. It is essential that the surgeon is familiar with the different prosthesis systems that exist and the particularities of each brand.
How does the penile prosthesis work?
The penile prosthesis treatment consists of replacing the corpora cavernosa, which are the organs responsible for activating the erection of the penis, with cylinders which, when activated by means of a button at will, allow the patient to have an erection whenever he wishes without affecting the sensitivity of the penis.
There are several types of prostheses but in most cases two different systems are implanted: the hydraulic or 3-element prosthesis and the other model is the semi-rigid or malleable prosthesis. One or the other will be fitted depending on the situation of each patient and the patient can decide this in consultation with the urologist.
Does penile prosthesis affect sexual performance?
The prostheses do not alter sensitivity, sexual pleasure, orgasm or ejaculation. All these functions are maintained as the patient had them before the operation. They only provide rigidity and are generally very well tolerated, giving the patient, who had previously failed with all therapeutic attempts, a high degree of satisfaction.
What to expect from prosthetic surgery?
The patient goes home the day after the operation, with progressively less rest and outpatient care. With this we can offer our patients a good and controlled evolution, with practice of driving and sexual activity after four weeks.
As in all our surgeries, consultations and check-ups during the 6 months following the surgical treatment are included in the fees for the intervention.