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Updated: May 26, 2026
A New Technique for Treating Low-risk Prostate Cancer—Super Active Surveillance
Published on: November 7, 2025
Prostate cryoablation in patients with multiple-component inflatable penile prostheses
Bruce B Garber1, Ashley H Tapscott
1Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Hahnemann University Hospital, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA. bgarber@comcast.net
Objective:
To evaluate and assess any inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP)-related complications in patients with organ-confined prostate cancer treated definitively with third-generation, ultrasound-guided prostate cryoablation.
Material And Methods:
From November 2003 to October 2010, we identified 100 consecutive patients with clinically organ-confined prostate cancer who were treated with targeted cryoablation as primary or salvage therapy by a single surgeon. Review of these patients revealed 13 who had previously been diagnosed with organic erectile dysfunction and had been implanted with a multiple-component IPP by the same surgeon. To assess IPP complications related to the cryoablation procedure, we retrospectively reviewed events occurring within a 6-month postoperative follow-up period.
Results:
For the entire series, the patient ages ranged from 42-84 years (mean 68). Of the 13 patients with IPPs, no device-related complication (eg, IPP infection, erosion, or malfunction) was found. No patient required IPP revision or removal.
Conclusion:
Patients with organ-confined prostate cancer who also have a multiple-component IPP may safely undergo ultrasound-guided prostate cryoablation as definitive therapy. Cryoprobe and thermocouple placement must be carried out carefully, using ultrasound guidance. To avoid IPP reservoir injury, suprapubic tube placement should be avoided.
