Current Approach to Penile Prosthesis Infection

Abstract

Rapid advances in the pharmacology of erectile dysfunction (ED) have brought more patients in to inquire about alternatives and commence treatment. Viagra is now a household word with name recognition similar to Coca-Cola and Nike. Patients will more commonly choose the least-invasive effective treatment for this disorder, namely, oral medication. However, severe cases of ED may not respond to medications or, in patients with severe scarring of erectile bodies, deformed or limited erections may result. Penile implants are still a very effective therapy with the highest satisfaction rate of all ED alternatives among both patients and partners (1). They are effective when medication has failed and will overcome the effects of scar tissue in the corpora cavernosa to both straighten and strengthen inadequate erections. When implants were introduced almost three decades ago, repairs were common (2). Vendors have eliminated or reinforced areas that would be a source of wear or malfunction, and surgeons have developed more-reliable techniques of implantation, thus reducing the incidence of reoperation. Repair rates of 15% at 5 yr and 30% at 10 yr are now realistic (3).