[Disappointing long-term experiences of patients with penile prosthesis].
OBJECTIVE
To describe the long-term experience with the implantation of a penile prosthesis as a last resort treatment for erectile dysfunction.


METHODS
Retrospective and descriptive.


METHODS
During the period 1986-1996, 124 men received a penile prosthesis. Basic information was obtained from medical files. Seventy-six men could be traced and were sent a questionnaire. Sixty patients and 44 partners participated in the study.


RESULTS
The median time since the implantation was 81.3 months (range: 13-139). The chance of reoperation was 35%. Seventeen percent of the patients and 25% of the spouses regretted the decision to have the implantation. Thirty-one percent no longer used the prosthesis and 15% had never used it. Twenty percent of the patients and 31% of the partners noticed an improvement in their sexual relationship whereas 26% and 23% respectively noticed a decline. Twenty percent of the patients sometimes failed to penetrate despite the prosthesis. Nevertheless, 66% would advise implantation to someone else. Almost 50% of the men reported spontaneous tumescence during sexual arousal.


CONCLUSIONS
After the implantation of a penile prosthesis, the reoperation rate was high, and many patients and their partners were dissatisfied with their sexual relationship despite regaining a functional erection. Implantation requires thorough sexological counselling both before and after the operation.
Meuleman
E J
EJ
Academisch Medisch Centrum St Radboud, afd. Urologie en Polikliniek Medische Seksuologie, Postbus 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen. e.meuleman@uro.azn.nl
Deunk
L
L
Schreuders Bais
C S
CS
Rabsztyn
P R
PR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019935:Penile Implantation / Q000523:psychology; D015917:Penile Prosthesis / Q000523:psychology*; D012086:Reoperation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome