Inflatable and noninflatable penile prostheses: comparative follow-up evaluation

This evaluation was conducted with 63 men who were organically impotent and subsequently received either an inflatable penile prosthesis (n = 43), a noninflatable penile prosthesis (n = 14), or both in succession (n = 6). The patient groups were compared for sexual satisfaction, sexual activity, mental status, complications, satisfaction with prosthesis, and relationship changes. The methods of evaluation were the Derogatis Sexual Functioning Inventory and two unstandardized questionnaires. Significant differences were found between the two patient groups: inflatable prosthesis recipients report being more sexually satisfied, more satisfied with their implant, experiencing less psychiatric distress, having a more rapid postsurgical recovery, more sexually active, and experiencing more positive changes in relationships with their partners than do recipients of a noninflatable prosthesis. The data suggest that the inflatable prosthesis may be a more favorable choice for most individuals than noninflatable devices.