Introduction
Penile implants are prosthetic devices placed inside the penis to make allowance for erection. This treatment's significance lies in restoring one’s ability to get an erection. So, it is indicated for men with erectile dysfunction (ED), whereas erectile dysfunction refers to difficulty in attaining and maintaining an erection.
However, penile implant treatment is typically recommended following the failure of other treatments for erectile dysfunction. It is considered a highly beneficial treatment for refractory forms of erectile dysfunction. But severe adverse events could occur during the treatment or in the days following the penile prosthesis. Scrotal hematoma formation is a serious adverse event that generally occurs after penile prosthesis surgery.
What Is a Penile Implant?
A penile implant refers to a surgically implanted prosthetic device that helps one attain an erection, generally in the case of erectile dysfunction. A penile implant is of two types, generally.
1. Inflatable Penile Implant: This includes a pump in the scrotum, allowing one to get an erection whenever required. The scrotum is a pounce of skin tissue present behind the penis.
2. Non-Inflatable Penile Implant: This consists of bendable silicone rods to be placed in the erection chambers of the penis. This makes allowances for the extension of rods into an erect position.
How Does a Penile Implant Work?
Healthcare providers specializing in surgery place the penile implant in the body through a surgical procedure.
1. Inflatable Penile Implant:
The inflate penile device consists of two cylinders, a pump, and a reservoir. The cylinders are inserted into the penis, while the tubes connect those cylinders to a distinct reservoir below the lower abdominal region. The reservoir has fluid in it. The pump is also connected to this framework. The pump is placed between the testicles, under the loose skin tissue of the scrotum.
One presses the pump in the system to escalate the prosthetic penile implant. This pressing of the pump never exerts any pressure on the testicles. The function of the pump is to transfer the fluid from the reservoir to the cylinders placed in the penis. This causes inflation at the degree of hardness one requires. After one attains an erection, it can be maintained longer, even after the sexual climax (orgasm). One can press the valve on the pump when one needs to pause or halt being erect. This could return the fluid to the reservoir, causing deflation of the penis.
2. Non-Inflatable Penile Implant:
This kind of implant consists of two solid and flexible silicone rods. Since this is non-inflatable, it does not require pumping. One has to press on the penis to extend the rod to the favorable erect position. Like an inflatable-penile implant, one can utilize this device as long as the person wishes. It is known that the hardness does not change even after sexual climax (orgasm). Once done, one can press on the penis again to push the device back.
A penile implant device allows one to get an erection whenever they want. But, it could take a few minutes for the inflatable penile implant to show its full rigidity. The non-inflatable implant presents a similar hardness. The penis implant generally takes about one to two hours to complete.
What Are the Potential Risks and Complications of Penile Implants?
The penile implant treatment possesses numerous benefits for the person having difficulties attaining and maintaining an erection. The chief benefit is that it allows one to attain and maintain an erectile rigidity rigid enough for sex for as long as one wants. A penile implant is a safe and effective treatment option for erectile dysfunction. It can induce certain uncommon risks and complications at that time or later.
- Uncontrollable bleeding following the procedure. This can be severe, requiring additional surgical intervention.
- Hematoma.
- Damage can occur to the urethra, requiring immediate surgical repair. This can delay implant placement.
- Infection can occur in this case. One can be at increased risk of infection if one has underlying conditions like spinal cord injury and diabetes.
- The implant itself can cause problems. New penile implants are good in quality and performance. But it can cause a malfunction in rare events. In the case of a broken implant, surgery may be required.
- In certain instances, implants can get stuck in the skin inside the penis.
- In rare events, the penile implant could wear away the skin layers from within the penis. This condition is called erosion.
- Pump or reservoir displacement.
- Decreased blood circulation to the head of the penis. This condition could require the removal of the implant device.
- Mechanical failure.
What Is a Postoperative Scrotal Hematoma After a Penile Implant?
Penile prosthesis implant surgical treatment is considered a safe and effective approach for various urological and sexual conditions, particularly medication-refractory erectile dysfunction (ED). The most common complications individuals encounter in the postoperative phase include infection, hematoma, bleeding, and device malfunction. Scrotal hematoma formation is one of the severe adverse events occurring after penile implant surgery. Hematoma formation occurs with a wide difference in incidence between 0.2 and 22.2 percent.
How Is Postoperative Scrotal Hematoma Treated?
The management of postoperative hematomas generally depends on their severity. Small and uncomplicated hematomas could resorb within a few days. Nevertheless, severe forms of hematoma persist and enlarge, requiring additional surgery to drain the accumulated blood and control the bleeding blood vessels. A wide range of strategies have been developed in the last few years to manage postoperative scrotal hematomas occurring in the postoperative period of penile implants.
The standardized options include the following.
- Draining.
- Anti-inflammatory medication.
- Athletic supporters.
Conclusion
A penile implant is a surgical procedure where the healthcare providers make an incision and place the kind of implant prosthetic device suitable for the individual. It is an effective treatment as it allows one to attain and maintain an erection. With this device, one can maintain the achieved erection for longer, even after the sexual orgasm. It can cause certain unwanted risks and complications for certain individuals. Discuss the potential risks and benefits with the specialist doctors before getting the implant device.
