Risk of infection with an antibiotic coated penile prosthesis at device replacement for mechanical failure

The inflatable penile prosthesis is well established as an effective treatment for select patients with organic erectile dysfunction. The risk of prosthetic infection at primary implantation is approximately 2%. However, for revision or replacement procedures the risk of infection has been reported to be as high as 13.3%. To minimize the overall risk of prosthetic infection an antibiotic coated inflatable penile prosthesis (InhibiZone) has been developed. To assess the impact on infection rates we reviewed our experience with the use of this device at prosthesis replacement for mechanical failure.

We retrospectively reviewed the records of all patients undergoing inflatable penile prosthesis replacement for mechanical failure with an antibiotic coated prosthesis between May 2001 and November 2004. Salvage procedures for clinically infected prostheses were excluded from analysis. Chart review was performed with examination of operative notes, all postoperative contacts and microbiological data.

A total of 55 patients underwent replacement of an inflatable penile prosthesis for mechanical failure using a device coated with rifampin and minocycline HCL (InhibiZone). In all patients before reimplantation component spaces were irrigated in standard fashion. With a median followup of 32 months (range 12 to 54) postoperative device infection requiring explantation developed in 1 patient (1.8%). Intraoperative cultures from the pump site grew coagulase negative staphylococcus.

Our data suggest that an antibiotic coated inflatable penile prosthesis may lead to decreased infection rates in patients undergoing penile prosthesis replacement for mechanical failure.