Surgical Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction (cont.)

Inflatable Implants

The inflatable implant consists of:

• Two cylinders, surgically inserted into the penis
  
  
• A pump, placed in the scrotum
  
  
• A reservoir, contained either within the cylinders or in a separate reservoir placed beneath the tissue of the lower abdomen

With an inflatable implant, you squeeze the pump placed within the scrotum to inflate the cylinders. The pump moves fluid from the reservoir implanted in the lower abdomen to the cylinders implanted in the penis. The expansion of these cylinders creates an erection.

The inflatable implant generally remains functional for 7-10 years before a replacement typically is necessary. Most, if not all, companies offer lifetime warranties for both the parts and the components of these devices.

Although effective, some overall complications of the inflatable implant include:

• Infections (2% of users)
  
  
• Device malfunctions (4% of users)
  
  
• Erosion of the device through the urethra or the skin (2% of users)
  
  
• Painful erections (1% of users)
  
  

Two types of inflatable implants are available: a fully inflatable implant and a self-contained inflatable unitary implant.

Fully Inflatable Implants

• Advantages of a fully inflatable implant include:
  
  
  • Mimics the natural process of rigidity-flaccidity
    
    
  • User controls the state of erection
    
    
  • Natural appearance
    
    
  • No concealment problems
    
    
  • Increases the width of the penis when activated
    
    
  • 70-80% success rate
    
    
  • Highly effective
    
    
• Disadvantages of a fully inflatable implant include:
  
  
  • Relatively high rate of mechanical failure
    
    
  • Risk of infection
    
    
  • Most expensive implant
    
    
  • Permanently alters or may injure erection bodies
    
    
  • If unsuccessful, interferes with other treatments

Self-Contained Inflatable Unitary Implants

• Advantages of a self-contained inflatable unitary implant are:
  
  
  • Mimics the natural process of rigidity-flaccidity
    
    
  • User controls the state of erection
    
    
  • Natural appearance
    
    
  • No concealment problems
    
    
  • Simpler surgery than the fully inflatable implant
    
    
  • 70-80% success rate
    
    
  • Highly effective
    
    
• Disadvantages of a self-contained inflatable unitary implant include:
  
  
  • Sometimes difficult to activate this type of implant
    
    
  • Does not increase the width of the penis
    
    
  • Possible mechanical breakdowns
    
    
  • Risk of infection
    
    
  • Relatively expensive
    
    
  • Permanently alters or may injure erection bodies
    
    
  • If unsuccessful, interferes with other treatments