Penile prosthetic surgery at Plymouth Hospital

Is penile prosthetic surgery right for me?

If conservative treatments for erectile dysfunction haven't been successful, your consultant may recommend penile prosthetic surgery.

Also, if you have Peyronie’s disease, and less invasive methods such as intralesional collagenase injections haven't worked, your consultant may recommend this surgery.

There are several types of penile implants. Your consultant will assess your own situation and recommend the implant that meets your needs.

What happens during penile prosthetic surgery?

Penile prosthesis surgery is usually performed under general anaesthetic and takes 40–90 minutes. 

Your incision (cut) will depend on the type of implant chosen. Some patients will have just a small cut where the penis joins the scrotum. In other cases, an additional incision may be needed in your groin area.

Once the incision is made, your surgeon will insert the implant and close the cut with stitches.

A catheter (thin tube) may be inserted into your urethra to allow urine to pass from your bladder easily. This will be removed before you go home.

We'll give you pain relief medication, but be sure to let us know if you're in any discomfort. You may also need to take antibiotics to help prevent infection.

Recovery from penile prosthetic surgery

It usually takes about 1–2 weeks to recover from penile prosthetic surgery. You may need to stay in hospital for 1–2 nights after your procedure.

It's normal to experience some swelling and bruising. Continue to take any pain medication and antibiotics that we prescribe.

You'll need to avoid any strenuous activity or heavy lifting for a few weeks. Discuss any return to work with your consultant.

Complications of penile prosthetic surgery

As with any surgical procedure, there's a small chance of complications, such as:

• pain
• bleeding
• infection
• bruising or swelling.
  

Specific complications of penile prosthesis surgery may include:

• problems with the implant – malfunction
• internal scarring or skin erosion
• need to replace the implant
• change in physical appearance.