A penile implant is a discrete device that is placed into a man’s penis and is designed to help him get an erection. A penile implant can be an effective solution for men who are suffering from ED, especially severe ED, to regain sexual function that has not been resolved by other available treatment options. Coloplast is a trusted leader for penile implants.
Coloplast (Penile Implant)
Facts About Coloplast (Penile Implant)
Is a Penile Implant Noticeable?
While men who have had the prosthesis surgery can see the small surgical scar where the bottom of the penis meets the scrotal sac, or in the lower abdomen just above the penis, other people probably will be unable to tell that a man has an inflatable penile prosthesis.
Why Penile Implant?
- Patient Satisfaction Rates: Patients report a 98% satisfaction rate for inflatable penile implants. (data with Coloplast)
- Additional Patient Satisfaction Rates: Patients treated with a penile implant appear to be significantly more satisfied with their treatment option than those treated with ED medication or other treatment options.( Meenakshi Davuluri*, SEXUAL SATISFACTION OF MEN WITH ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION; THE JOURNAL OF UROLOGY; Vol. 199, No. 4S, Supplement)
- A Discrete Treatment for ED: A penile prosthesis is discrete when your penis is flaccid. Your partner won’t be able to tell you’ve had an implant to treat your ED unless you tell them.
- Minimal Recovery Time: Although the length of recovery can vary on a number of factors, the typical recovery time after a prosthesis implant procedure is four to six weeks.
- Cost-effective: Penile implants have been shown to be the most cost effective ED treatment over a 10-year period. Comparing a penile implant cost to its lifespan length as well as satisfaction rate, it really isn’t that bad a deal. Not to mention, penile implants are usually covered by most insurance plans.
- Insurance Coverage: Penile implants are prescribed by a physician and may be covered by insurance plans, including Medicare.
How does a Penile Implant Work?
There are two different penile implants that are available today. The 3-piece inflatable penile implant with hydrophilic coating is the most popular implant and a malleable penile implant. Both implant types are custom fitted to your body to allow you to have a satisfactory erection for sexual intercourse. Your sensitivity and ability to ejaculate should not be affected.
The primary difference between the two penile implant types is that the 3-piece inflatable implant produces a more natural erection while the malleable implant (flexible rods) produces a permanently firm penis.
How Does an Implant Feel During Sex?
A penile prosthesis does not change sensation on the skin of the penis or a man’s ability to reach orgasm. Ejaculation is not affected. Once a penile prosthesis is put in, it could destroy the natural erection reflex.
Are Penile Implants Safe?
Doctors and surgeons will be the first to tell you no surgery is totally free of possible complications. Complications associated with penile implants include:
- Uncontrolled bleeding after the surgery possibly leading to re-operation
- Infection could incur in any surgery
- Erosion requiring removal
- Scar tissue formation
- Mechanical failure (auto inflation, cylinder failure, etc) leading to re-operation and removal
- New penile implant designs are reliable, but in rare cases the implants might malfunction. Surgery is necessary to remove, repair or replace a broken implant.
Types of Penile Implants
Inflatable
Built for outstanding fatigue resistance, the Coloplast Titan® Touch inflatable penile prosthesis is a self-contained, fluid-filled system made from silicone and Bioflex®, a supple yet durable material that allows for unrivaled rigidity, girth, and cylinder strength. The Coloplast Titan penile implant is designed to mimic the look and performance of a natural erection.
To inflate the prosthesis, the man presses on a pump. The pump transfers saline from the reservoir to the cylinders in the penis, expanding it to reach the maximum size of the patient’s natural erection. Pressing on a deflation valve at the base of the pump returns the fluid to the reservoir deflating the penis and returning it back to its flaccid state.
There are three parts to an inflatable penile implant:
1. A reservoir placed in the abdomen
2. Two cylinders placed in the penis
3. A pump placed in the scrotum
Malleable Implant
The Genesis® is a flexible penile implant that consists of two firm but flexible rods that are placed into the shaft of the penis. There are no other parts to this implant.
To have an erection, you simply hold the penis and move it into the desired position. When you are finished, you bend it back down to conceal it. The malleable penile implant can be a good option for men with limited dexterity.
What You Can Expect for Coloplast?
Before the procedure
- Penile implant surgery is usually done at a surgery center or hospital. Your doctor might give you medication to make you unconscious during the surgery or medication that blocks pain in the lower part of your body.
- The surgery site is shaved before surgery to reduce the risk of infection. Your doctor will give you IV antibiotics to help prevent infection.
During surgery
- A tube (catheter) might be inserted into your bladder via your penis to collect urine at some point during surgery. Your surgeon will make an incision below the head of the penis, at the base of the penis or in the lower abdomen.
- Your doctor will stretch the spongy tissue in the penis that would normally fill with blood during an erection. This tissue is inside each of the two hollow chambers called the corpora cavernosa.
- If your doctor is implanting a two-piece inflatable device, a pump and valve are placed inside the scrotum. For a three-piece device, your doctor will also implant a fluid reservoir under the abdominal wall through an internal incision.
- Once the device is in place, your surgeon will sew the incisions closed. Penile implant surgery usually takes 45 minutes to an hour.
After surgery
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- Medication may be given after penile implant surgery to decrease any pain. You might also need to take antibiotics for one week to prevent infection.
- Your doctor might recommend keeping your penis up on your lower abdomen and pointing toward your bellybutton during the healing process to prevent downward curvature.
- Your doctor will provide specific instructions about when you can resume normal activities. Most men can resume strenuous physical activity and sexual activity about four to six weeks after surgery. A follow appointment may be required.
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