Erectile Dysfunction Is Not a Sentence: Penile Prosthesis Surgery

Erectile dysfunction is not only a medical issue but also a socio-psychological challenge. If conservative treatment fails, surgery becomes the next option — specifically, one of the most reliable methods: penile prosthesis implantation.

“Penile prosthesis implantation is a surgical method aimed at restoring erections in men with severe erectile dysfunction. It is used in cases where conservative treatment (lasting more than six months) has proven ineffective,” explains our expert, Valery Simakov, surgeon at the N. Lopatkin Scientific Research Institute of Urology and Interventional Radiology (SRIUIR) – the branch of the FSBI “National Medical Research Radiological Centre” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. This surgical approach is suitable for patients with organic erectile dysfunction, including arteriogenic and venogenic dysfunction, neuropraxia, those who have undergone surgery on the pelvic organs, prostate, or colon, or those who have suffered trauma.

There are two main types of penile prostheses:

• Semirigid prostheses (one-component)
• Hydraulic prostheses (three-component)

Each type has its own features, and the choice depends on the patient’s individual characteristics, previous surgeries, and personal preferences.

One-component prostheses consist of two rods made of a durable polymer with an inner composite wire. The penis remains in a constant erect state, but it can be manually bent when necessary.

“It’s important to understand that visually, the penis after such an operation looks no different from how it did before,” notes Valery Viktorovich. “We always inform patients that sensitivity is preserved.”

Three-component prostheses are more advanced systems consisting of two rods, a fluid reservoir, and a pump placed in the scrotum. The patient activates the prosthesis manually using the pump to achieve an erection, which can also be deactivated after intercourse with a press of the pump.

Penile prosthesis surgery requires thorough preparation and careful postoperative monitoring. Stitches are removed two weeks after surgery, and activation of the prosthesis is not permitted earlier than eight weeks post-op.

The procedure is performed strictly based on medical indications and is available to patients starting from age 18. Special care is required for patients with diabetes, chronic infections, or those who have recently undergone pelvic surgery.

 “Erectile dysfunction is not a life sentence! You can always turn to a specialist and enjoy a full sexual life. This is a one-time surgery — the prosthesis does not require replacement in the future,” says our expert. To schedule a consultation with specialists from the Department of Andrology and Human Reproduction at the N. Lopatkin Scientific Research Institute of Urology and Interventional Radiology (SRIUIR) – the branch of the National Medical Research Radiological Centre of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, please call: +7 (499) 110-40-67.