title: Preoperative psychosocial evaluation of penile prosthesis candidates.
abstract: Penile prosthesis surgery is a recommended treatment option for a subset of patients who present with erectile dysfunction (ED). Although treatment outcome research indicates that patients are generally satisfied with this intervention, it remains an invasive procedure with risk for complications. A review of the literature reveals general agreement for the importance of a thorough preoperative evaluation to determine appropriateness for a penile implant; however, there are no known descriptions of such an evaluation in the literature. This article provides an introduction to the domains that are most relevant to assess in a patient who is considering penile implant surgery: sexual history (including organic and psychogenic causes of ED), success and utilization of other treatment interventions, relationship functioning, and patient expectations for and knowledge of the procedure. The advantages to this approach are presented, particularly in enhancing patient satisfaction with treatment outcomes.
authors.affiliation: VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston University School of Medicine, Psychology Service (116B), 150 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02130, USA. erin.ulloa2@va.gov
authors.forename: Erin Winters
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Ulloa
authors.forename: Amy K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Silberbogen
authors.forename: Kirstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D019935:Penile Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D015917:Penile Prosthesis; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D011584:Psychology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D016896:Treatment Outcome