Penile prosthesis for erectile dysfunction in France: A six-year nationwide database analysis

Urological consultations for erectile dysfunction (ED) are increasing worldwide. Penile prosthesis (PP) implantations are performed when other treatments are unsuccessful. However, there is no data regarding PP implantations in France beyond the year 2016.

This study aimed to describe the changes in the number and type of PP implants used for the treatment of ED in France from 2016 to 2021 and the hospitalization rates following implantation using French national data from the Program for the Medicalization of Information Systems (PMSI).

We analyzed data on PP implantations in all France hospitals. PPs were coded into three types according to the Common Classification of Medical Procedures (CCAM). The number of patients admitted to hospital with complications twelve months after implantation was also recorded.

During the study period, 3675 men received 3868 PPs in France. A gradual increase in the total number of implanted PPs was observed, with an overall increase of 33.8%. In 2020, there was a sharp decline in the number of implanted PPs, primarily owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. The most commonly used implant was PPs with an extracavernous compartment, comprising 85% of all PPs. Twelve months after implantation, only 1-2% of the patients were rehospitalized.

PP implantation surgeries are highly reproducible and have a low incidence of complications, in terms of rehospitalization after one year of placement (1.8%). Moreover, there was an increase in the demand for penile prosthesis implantations in France between 2016 and 2021.

4: Descriptive epidemiological study.