Although prescription drugs are often the most common treatment for the estimated 25 million American men with erectile dysfunction, there are a variety of circumstances in which a surgical penile implant, or penile prosthesis is regarded as the best solution.

When drugs are ineffective for treating ED

Prescriptions to treat ED have a long term success rate as high as 69%, which, while a solution for a large portion of men, still leaves a significant number unable to perform sexually. In comparison, inflatable penile implants have a success rate between 90-95% for being able to produce an erection suitable for intercourse.

When patient health precludes usage of prescription drugs

Many patients with conditions that can accompany erectile dysfunction, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, or diabetes are unable to use prescription drugs due to the health risks involved. In cases such as these, penile prosthesis surgery is thought to be a safer solution for being able to maintain a sex life.

Lifestyle choices

Some patients simply prefer to not use prescriptions to treat ED for non-medical reasons; a more common example being that requiring a pill to maintain an erection robs their sexual lives of spontaneity. In these cases, the relative ease and convenience of a penile implant is the preferred option.

To find out more about penile implant surgery, please contact us here.

Penile implant surgery is a highly specialized field in urology requiring extensive training and education, but the fact of the matter is that not all surgeons are equal. As with any specialized procedure, there are several questions any prospective patients should consider before making their decision – not doing so might mean the difference between a successful and an unsuccessful surgery.

How often does the surgeon perform penile implant surgery?

Ideally, any surgeon should have a high level of comfort and familiarity with the procedure they’re performing. That being the case, some surgeons are significantly more experienced than others, or focus on a specific type of procedure – Dr. Perito, for example, performs more than 500 penile implant surgeries per year. Be sure that the surgeon you choose has adequate experience.

Is the surgeon a member of any related associations or professional organizations?

Urologic surgeons who are well respected within their fields are typically members of various organizations, such as the American Urological Association, the American College of Surgeons, or the Sexual Medicine Society. Is the surgeon you’re considering a thought leader in their field? The respect of their peers can be a good indicator of a surgeon’s overall skill and fund of knowledge.

How are the facilities where the procedure will take place?

The facility where penile implant surgery is taking place is an important consideration when choosing a surgeon. Is the center well reviewed? How is the support staff? How proficient is the department in your intake and discharge?

While penile implant surgery is a well-supported procedure with high success and satisfaction rates, it’s still important to do your homework. Having the right surgeon can be instrumental to restoring and maintaining your sexual health and lifestyle.

September 15, 2016

Several abstracts co-authored by Dr. Paul Perito have been accepted for the 20th World Meeting on Sexual Medicine in Beijing, China from September 22-25, 2016. The titles include:

• “The Efficacy of Durasphere as a New Agent for the Treatment of Hypermobile Glans”
• “New Data Regarding HIV Status as a Predictor of Postoperative IPP Infection”
• “New Data Regarding Penile Length Preservation After IPP Implantation”
• “A Retrospective Analysis of Risk Factors for IPP Reservoir Entry into the Peritoneum After Posterior to Transversalis Fascia Placement”
• “Retrospective Analysis of the Influence of High Dose Gentamicin on IPP Infection Rates