Patient selection, counseling and preparation for penile prosthesis

The penile prosthesis has revolutionized the management of erectile dysfunction and is a mainstay in the treatment of this clinical entity. The goal of proper patient selection and counseling is to achieve a satisfactory outcome for the patient. Most patients receiving a penile prosthesis are satisfied with their outcome, and while the penile prosthesis generally allows for high satisfaction rates, avenues for dissatisfaction can arise. Our aim is to aid the prosthetic urologist in identifying such avenues by discussing what factors can lead to a dissatisfied patient. Even a technically successful surgical outcome in the improperly counseled patient can have negative consequences for the patient and the patient-physician relationship. Satisfaction in the penile prosthesis arena can be variably defined and viewed from different perspectives. As such, establishing a personalized framework of expectation management, even in the patient who poses challenging factors, is paramount in preparation for penile prosthesis implantation.