Update on penile prosthesis

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Medical Devices
• Surgical Technology

Background:

• Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects a significant patient population, necessitating effective treatment options.
• Penile prostheses (PPs) represent a long-standing surgical solution for ED.
• Continuous innovation aims to improve the efficacy and safety of PPs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive narrative review of penile prostheses (PPs) for erectile dysfunction (ED).
• To explore the historical evolution, types, advancements, outcomes, and future directions of PPs.
• To synthesize current knowledge on penile implant technology and clinical application.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature search of English-language studies from January 2000 to April 2024.
• Databases searched include PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library.
• Included studies encompass clinical trials, RCTs, observational studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses; data synthesized qualitatively and quantitatively.

Main Results:

• Penile prostheses have evolved from early designs to sophisticated malleable and inflatable penile prostheses (IPPs).
• Malleable implants offer simplicity and reliability, suitable for specific patient groups.
• Three-piece IPPs show substantial technological improvements, including enhanced mechanical reliability and reduced infection rates via antibiotic coatings.

Conclusions:

• Advancements in penile prosthesis technology, including hydrophilic and antibiotic coatings, have significantly reduced complications.
• Modern penile implants offer improved clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction for ED treatment.
• Future directions in penile prostheses aim for further enhancements in materials, design, and infection prevention.