The prosthesis salvage operation: immediate replacement of the infected penile prosthesis.

PURPOSE: We describe our experience with salvage of the infected penile prosthesis at initial presentation in 11 patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients with prosthesis infection who presented since 1991 were considered for salvage surgery. Contraindications to a salvage operation included necrotic infections, diabetic patients with purulence in the corporeal bodies, rapidly developing infections and erosion of the device cylinders. RESULTS: In 1 patient in this group a salvage attempt was repeated after re-infection, for an overall success rate of 91%. Mean followup for the group was 21 months (range 9 to 42). Staphylococcus epidermidis was the infecting organism in 75% of our patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience demonstrates the safety and advantages of the immediate salvage technique.

Management of infected penile implants.

Penile prosthesis implantation is associated with a relatively low wound infection rate (3%). Proper adherence to antiseptic principles has kept the incidence low. When an infection does occur, one has the option of removing the device, allowing the infection to clear and possibly returning at a later date for reimplantation, or a salvage procedure, i.e., removing all foreign material, cleansing the wound, and reinserting a new device. The experience with salvage has resulted in approximately 80-90% success in saving the erectile abilities in a number of series.