Phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors have been used in managing erectile dysfunction for years now, becoming an accepted standard in the world (1).
However, penile implants still stand as the most preferred choice by patients since it offers an even more permanent solution to this problem. Some of these patients go for the penile implant option because the penis has high amounts of scar tissue that gets in the way of normal erections (2).
Penile Prosthesis Infection
Penile implants have registered high levels of satisfaction with patients that use them. Among the most common penile implant prostheses are the two and three-piece inflatable implants. There is also another type known as the malleable penile prosthesis.
Advancements in penile implant technology have ensured that an implant’s average lifespan is typically between 10 to 20 years, and as such, infections are becoming quite a common occurrence (3).
Traditionally, penile implant infection signs usually require the administration of antibiotics to help alleviate these symptoms. However, in extreme cases, the implant is removed altogether, after which it can be reinserted within 2 months to a year (4).
Removal of the implant does have its shortcomings as it could cause corporeal fibrosis, which could complicate the entire procedure. To help prevent infections from penile implants, the devices are now being coated with antibiotics to replace the infected implants being done immediately.
Causes of Penile Implant Infections
The infection of the penile prosthesis is usually due to bacterial seeding that occurs during the surgery. Prosthetic devices often encourage the presence of bacteria and their growth as well. These infections can be typically categorized into Clinical apparent infections and Sub-clinical infections. Clinical infections have symptoms such as:
- Pain in the penis
- Erythema
- Purulent wound drainage from the surgical incision
- Fever
Sub-clinical infections are usually diagnosed with intense pain in the tissues surrounding the prosthesis region.
What are the Risk Factors?
Among the various risk factors that cause infection after insertion of a prosthesis include
- Urinary tract infections
- Spreading of hematogenous infection
- General body infections
Patients with a primary implant procedure stand a higher risk of infection, especially if penile reconstruction surgery is involved (5).
This is because they have a longer surgical duration since they seek to accomplish two things at once. There is also a risk of infection in patients with preexisting conditions such as spinal injury and diabetes mellitus.
Preventing Infection
The advent of penile infection typically happens during surgery.
As such, employing highly effective preoperative measures is a crucial approach to help stop this from happening. It is recommended that before the surgery, the patient’s urine has to be sterile, and they should be free of skin infections.
Doctors also advise that the patient washes the pelvic region with strong soap a few days before it is done.
On the day of surgery, the attending physician also carefully scrubs the target region and then shaves off any hair in the vicinity to lower the possibility of an infection.
Eliminating Penile Implant Infection Signs
The surgeon uses techniques during the surgery that allow for shorter operating periods with as little tissue damage as possible.
However, if you still encounter any signs of infection after the surgery, your doctor should advise on what to do next.
Links to Sources Used:
- Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) Inhibitors In the Management of Erectile Dysfunction https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3776492/
- Penile Prosthesis in Patients With Erectile Dysfunction https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03466619
- Penile Prosthesis Implant https://www.stonybrookmedicine.edu/patientcare/urology/menshealth/penileimplants
- The current approach to the treatment of penile implant infections https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3126071/
- Penile reconstruction https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3739136/