Erectile Dysfunction Surgery

Penile implant surgery is an operation where a prosthesis is implanted into the penis for treating erectile dysfunction. These implants are typically done only if other non-surgical treatments aren’t helpful. This is a major surgical procedure that is performed to obtain and maintain an erection.

This surgery is also undergone after phalloplasty (a gender-affirming surgical construction of a penis for transgender men and cisgender men who have lost their penis). The recovery takes a long time after the penile implant.

Penile implants are also performed to treat severe cases that cause scarring inside the penis, curved, or Peyronie’s disease.

There are two types of implants:

• Inflatable penile implant,
• non-inflatable or malleable penile implant.

Both of them work differently and have various pros and cons.

A malleable or non-inflatable penile implant uses two flexible rods to produce permanent rigidity. These rods are flexible and quick to insert. The non-inflatable penile implant allows the person to have a directional and rigid penis sufficient for sexual intercourse.

Inflatable implants are the most common type of penile implant. It can be inflated to create an erection and deflated. In a three-piece inflatable penile implant type, the doctor uses two paired cylinders inserted in the penis, a pump in the scrotum, and a fluid-filled reservoir in the abdomen. To achieve an erection, the pump in the scrotum fills the cylinders in the penis with fluid that allows it to become rigid. And release the valve inside the scrotum to drain the fluid back to the reservoir.

Peyronie's is a noncancerous condition that occurs when fibrous scar tissue develops on the penis and causes it to bend, curve, and painful erections. You might feel the scar tissue through the skin, or you may have pain in a specific part of the penis as the scar tissue forms. Depending on the scar location, during an erection, the penis can bend up or down or to the side. This condition also causes stress, and anxiety, and Penile shortening.

The symptoms might appear suddenly or develop gradually

• Heart ailments
• Atherosclerosis
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Hormonal problems such as low testosterone or high prolactin levels
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Parkinson's Disease
• Tobacco or alcohol consumption
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Sleep disorders
• Treatments for Prostate Cancer or enlarged Prostate
• Surgeries or injuries, which affect the Pelvic area or Spinal Cord
• Peyronie's Disease, in which there is a development of scar tissue within the penis

Potential risks after operation include-

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Scar tissue formation
• Pump or reservoir displacement
• Shortening of the penis
• Problems with the implant function

Erectile dysfunction can be reduced with certain lifestyle changes such as reducing alcohol intake, eat a healthy diet, weight loss if you are obese, and be active.

The doctor will prescribe medications initially. These medicines work as relaxing the blood vessels in the penis and encourage the blood flow to allow an erection to occur. Penile creams are prescribed for people who have an intolerance towards medication due to other health reasons.

Alternative treatments include penile injections that are used to produce an erection. This is a self-administered injection. Your urologist will administer the first injection and explain to you how to do it yourself.

Vacuum erectile assistance dysfunction is another alternative treatment.

If there is any blockage in the artery that supplies blood flow to the penis is identified then microsurgical reconstruction of the arteries is recommended.