Negative pressure devices in the explanted penile prosthesis population

Of 402 penile prosthesis implanted at our institution between 1980 and 1987, 20 required explantation due to infection, erosion, pain or tissue necrosis. Of these 20 patients 14 were available for a prospective trial using a negative pressure device in an attempt to restore potency. Among these 14 patients 11 used the device at home for a minimum of 30 days after an acceptable office demonstration. Three patients did not desire the negative pressure device after an office visit test. Of the 11 home users 10 (91 per cent) reported at least satisfactory erections and successful intercourse. Interestingly, 5 of 6 patients in whom explantation was due to infection were able to use the negative pressure device successfully. Over-all, 10 of the 14 explant patients (71 per cent) engaged in regular successful intercourse using the device. The negative-pressure device can be a useful therapy for erectile impotence even in the sometimes challenging explant population. Despite previous corporeal infection and presumed fibrosis, negative pressure devices can provide patients with a functional erection-like state.