Penile prosthesis implantation in an academic institution in Latin America

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We performed a retrospective study to analyze the effectiveness of implantable penile prostheses in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 249 patients who received implants between 2001 and 2008. A total of 139 patients who underwent penile prosthesis implantation were interviewed. RESULTS: Approximately half of patients had previously used oral drugs before implantation of the prosthesis. About 45 percent had diabetes, 25.9 percent had previously undergone radical prostatectomy (RP), and 64 percent had hypertension. Exchange was performed in 5.7 percent for fracture, inadequate size, or extrusion. A total of 24.5 percent of men had immediate postoperative pain, 7.9 percent had local infection, and 8.6 percent had other complications. Patients who had previously undergone RP were 3.2 times more likely to experience a postoperative complication than patients who had not (p = 0.061). Eighty-nine (64 percent) patients returned to having sex as they had before being diagnosed with ED. Ninety-two of the men (66.2 percent) had sexual intercourse one to two times per week. One hundred twenty patients (86.3 percent) rated their level of satisfaction as good, excellent or very good, which was similar to the percentage of partners. The mean follow-up was 40 months. CONCLUSION: Higher rates of postoperative infections and mechanical problems with the implant were found in this study as compared to other studies, which was probably associated with the relative lack of experience of the trainees who were performing the surgeries. Patients with a history of RP or diabetes mellitus prior to implantation were at higher risk of postoperative complications.