Erosion of penile prostheses: a complication of urethral catheterization

We studied 9 patients with indwelling urethral catheters or who were using intermittent clean catheterization and who had received a penile prosthesis. A 56 per cent (5 of 9) incidence of urethral erosion was found in this population. Urethral erosion was a late complication, 80 per cent (4 of 5) of the time in our series, that usually presented several months after implantation of the prosthesis. We believe that the etiological factors that contributed to this disastrous complication were the friction and inflammation associated with catheterization. We currently construct a perineal urethrostomy in patients who desire a penile prosthesis and who perform intermittent catheterization. If intermittent catheterization is not feasible, insertion of a suprapubic tube is recommended. We additionally recommend insertion of an inflatable penile prosthesis, since this type is relatively soft most of the time and will not cause as much pressure at the end of the penis. Since instituting these procedures we have not encountered any erosion.