Skip to main content
Log in

The Evolution of the Inflatable Penile Prosthetic Device and Surgical Innovations with Anatomical Considerations

  • Men's Health (R Carrion and C Yang, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Urology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Historically, early surgical treatment for erectile dysfunction involved the placement of rigid devices outside of the corpora cavernosa. This practice resulted in high rates of erosion and infection. Today, most urologists in the United States place an inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) with an infection-retardant coating inside the corpora cavernosa. In addition to changes in the type of implant used, surgical techniques have evolved greatly in recent years, resulting in reduced operating times, lower infection rates, and improved outcomes. However, anatomical considerations have directed the prosthetic surgeon to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction rates by employing both new surgical techniques and postoperative maneuvers.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: •• Of major importance

  1. Henry GD. Historical review of penile prosthesis design and surgical techniques: part 1 of a three-part review series on penile prosthetic surgery. J Sex Med. 2009;6(3):675–81. doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2008.01145.x. Epub 2009 Jan 22.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Deveci S, Martin D, Parker M, Mulhall JP. Penile length alterations following penile prosthesis surgery. Eur Urol. 2007;51(4):1128–31.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Shah J. Erectile dysfunction through the ages. BJU Int. 2002;90(4):433–41.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Carson CC. History of urological prostheses. In: Carson CC, editor. Urologic prostheses: the complete practical guide to devices, their implantation, and patient follow up. Totowa: Humana Press; 2002.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Scott FB, Bradley WE, Timm GW. Management of erectile impotence: use of implantable inflatable prosthesis. Urology. 1973;2:80–2.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Delk JR, Knoll LD, McMurray J, Shore N, Wilson SK. Early experience with the American Medical Systems new tactile pump: results of a multicenter study. J Sex Med. 2005;2:266–71.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Milbank AJ, Montague DK, Angermeier KW, Lakin MM, Worley SE. Mechanical failure of the American Medical Systems Ultrex inflatable penile prosthesis: before and after 1993 structural modification. J Urol. 2002;167:2502–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Hackler RH. Mentor inflatable penile prosthesis: a reliable mechanical device. Urology. 1986;28:489–91.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Brooks MB. 42 months of experience with the Mentor inflatable penile prosthesis. J Urol. 1988;139:48–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. American Medical Systems, Inc. (2010).Conceal Low-Profile Reservoir [Brochure].

  11. Coloplast USA (2012). Titan® The Serious Solution [Brochure].

  12. Wilson SK, Henry GD, Delk Jr JR, Cleves MA. The Mentor Alpha I penile prosthesis with reservoir lock-out valve: effective prevention of auto-inflation with improved capability for ectopic reservoir placement. J Urol. 2002;168:1475–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Carson CC. Efficacy of antibiotic impregnation of inflatable penile prostheses in decreasing infection in original implants. J Urol. 2004;171:1611–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Wolter CE, Hellstrom WJ. The hydrophilic-coated inflatable penile prosthesis: 1-year experience. J Sex Med. 2004;1:221–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Henry G, Houghton L, Culkin D, Otheguy J, Shabsigh R, Ohl D. Comparison of new length measurement technique for inflatable prosthesis implantation to standard techniques: outcomes and patient satisfaction. J Sex Med. 2011;8(9):2640–6. doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2011.02340.x. Dr. Henry introduced the paradigm of new length measurement in post penile prosthesis management.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Miranda-Sousa A, Keating M, Moreira S, Baker M, Carrion R. Concomitant ventral phalloplasty during penile implant surgery, a novel procedure that optimizes patient satisfaction and their perception of phallic length after penile implant surgery. J Sex Med. 2007;4(5):1494–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Montague DK, Angermeier KW. Increasing size with penile implants. Curr Urol Rep. 2008;9(6):483–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Wilson SK, Cleves MA, Delk JR. Ultrex cylinders: problems with uncontrolled lengthening (the S-shaped deformity). J Urol. 1996;155(1):135–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Rawlani V, Buck DW, Johnson SA, Heyer KS. Kim JY.:Tissue expander breast reconstruction using prehydrated human acellular dermis. Ann Plast Surg. 2011;66(6):593–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Schwarz K, Tahiri Y. Subcutaneous pre-expansion of mastectomy flaps before breast reconstruction with deep inferior epigastric perforator flaps: eliminating the patch-like appearance and improving aesthetic outcomes. Ann Plast Surg. 2011;66(2):124–7. doi:10.1097/SAP.0b013e3181ef6f55.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Wilson SK. Management of penile implant complications. In: Mulcahy J, editor. Topics in Clinical Urology: Diagnosis and Management of Male Sexual Dysfunction. NY: Igaku-Shoin Medical Publishers, Inc; 1997.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Fogla S, John T, Rajpurkar A, Dhabuwala C. Replacement surgery of penile prosthesis causes an increase in corporal length. J Urol. April Supplement. 2005.

  23. Wilson SK. Surgical techniques: modeling technique for penile curvature. J Sex Med. 2007;4(1):231–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Wang R, Howard GE, Hoang A, Yuan JH, Lin HC, Dai YT. Prospective and long-term evaluation of erect penile length obtained with inflatable penile prosthesis to that induced by intracavernosal injection. Asian J Androl. 2009;11(4):411–5. doi:10.1038/aja.2009.35.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Compliance with Ethics Guidelines

Conflict of Interest

Dr. Tariq S. Hakky declares no potential conflict of interest.

Dr. Run Wang is consultant for AMS and Coloplast and has received a grant from UroMatrix.

Dr. Gerard D. Henry is a consultant for Endo and has received travel/accommodations expenses reimbursement from Endo. Dr. Henry has received payment for the development of educational presentations, including service on speakers’ bureaus, from Endo, Lilly, and Astellas.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gerard D. Henry.

Additional information

This article is part of the Topical Collection on Mens Health

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Hakky, T.S., Wang, R. & Henry, G.D. The Evolution of the Inflatable Penile Prosthetic Device and Surgical Innovations with Anatomical Considerations. Curr Urol Rep 15, 410 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11934-014-0410-9

Download citation

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11934-014-0410-9

Keywords

Navigation