Obtaining rigidity in total phalloplasty: experience with 35 patients.
OBJECTIVE
The combination of a neourethra and erection prosthesis in a single neophallus in the female-to-male transsexual remains a challenge. The outcome reported in the literature is disappointing. We report our experience with 35 patients.


METHODS
Between August 1996 and December 2001, 35 patients underwent implantation surgery. A 1-piece hydraulic Dynaflex prosthesis (American Medical Systems, Minnetonka, Minnesota) was used in 10 patients, while a 3-piece hydraulic CXM and CX (American Medical Systems) prosthesis was placed in 9 and 16, respectively. The 1-piece model was withdrawn from the market in 1997. Thereafter a 3-piece prosthesis was implanted.


RESULTS
Of 10 patients in the 1-piece group prosthesis implantation was uneventful in 8. In 2 patients with technical failure the prosthesis was replaced, including 1 in whom the new prosthesis was removed due to infection and successfully replaced by a 3-piece prosthesis. To date at a mean followup of 3.5 years 9 patients have a 1-piece hydraulic prosthesis in place. In the 3-piece prosthesis group of 25 patients implantation was uneventful in 20. In 1 patient infection and partial necrosis of the neophallus developed, 2 had infection, in 1 a cylinder perforated the tip of the phallus and in 1 technical failure occurred. Of the latter 4 patients the prosthesis was replaced successfully in 2 patients, while the other 2 are on the waiting list. The patient with partial necrosis of the phallus is no longer a candidate for an erection prosthesis. To date at a mean followup of 1.8 years 23 patients have a 3-piece hydraulic prosthesis in place. A single patient in the 1-piece group has a 3-piece CX prosthesis.


CONCLUSIONS
Good results were observed after implantation of the Dynaflex prosthesis in patients who underwent total phalloplasty. This model is no longer available today. For the more complex 3-piece CX and CXM prostheses implantation results are comparable to those of the 1-piece model.
Hoebeke
P
P
Department of Pediatric Urology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
de Cuypere
G
G
Ceulemans
P
P
Monstrey
S
S
D020878:Device Removal; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010410:Penile Erection; D019935:Penile Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D010413:Penis / Q000601:surgery*; D014189:Transsexualism / Q000601:surgery*