Risk factors for penile prosthetic infection

To determine the risk factors for penile prosthesis infection.

The records of 135 penile prosthesis implantation in 127 patients were reviewed. Of the 135 prothesis, 115 were malleable, 12 were self-contained and 8 were inflatable. Of these procedures, 111 were primary, 9 were primary with reconstructions and 15 were secondary. Mean follow-up was 47 months (minimum 6 months). All of the reconstructions were penile plications or plaque excisions for Peyronie's disease.

The ratio of penile prosthesis infection was 8.89%. Secondary implantation, paraplegia, non-controlled diabetes mellitus (p < 0.001) and surgeon's inexperience (p < 0.05) were detected as the risk factors for penile prosthesis infection. But age, smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, atherosclerosis, presence of diabetes mellitus (DM), history of penile surgery, simple penile reconstruction, type of the erectile dysfunction (ED), type of the penile prostheses and incision and were not found as the risk factors (p > 0.05).

Paraplegie, non-controlled diabetes mellitus, secondary implantation and surgeon's inexperience appear to be the risk factors for penile prosthesis infection. In secondary implantation, longer operation time is detected as a factor increasing the risk of penile prosthesis infection. For these patients, careful preoperative preparation, more attention to perioperative antisepsis and postoperative follow-up are required. Since it has been determined that surgical experiences decrease the complication rate, these patients should be operated by experienced surgeons.