Penile prosthesis implantation in an academic institution in Latin America.
OBJECTIVE
We performed a retrospective study to analyze the effectiveness of implantable penile prostheses in the treatment of erectile dysfunction.


METHODS
This study included 249 patients who received implants between 2001 and 2008. A total of 139 patients who underwent penile prosthesis implantation were interviewed.


RESULTS
Approximately half of patients had previously used oral drugs before implantation of the prosthesis. About 45% had diabetes, 25.9% had previously undergone radical prostatectomy (RP), and 64% had hypertension. Exchange was performed in 5.7% for fracture, inadequate size, or extrusion. A total of 24.5% of men had immediate postoperative pain, 7.9% had local infection, and 8.6% had other complications. Patients who had previously undergone RP were 3.2 times more likely to experience a postoperative complication than patients who had not (p = 0.061). Eighty-nine (64%) patients returned to having sex as they had before being diagnosed with ED. Ninety-two of the men (66.2%) had sexual intercourse one to two times per week. One hundred twenty patients (86.3%) rated their level of satisfaction as good, excellent or very good, which was similar to the percentage of partners. The mean follow-up was 40 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Higher rates of postoperative infections and mechanical problems with the implant were found in this study as compared to other studies, which was probably associated with the relative lack of experience of the trainees who were performing the surgeries. Patients with a history of RP or diabetes mellitus prior to implantation were at higher risk of postoperative complications.
News Technologies in Sexual Medicine, Division of Urology, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Sao Paulo, Brazil. marioparanhos@uol.com.br
Mario
M
Paranhos
Enrico
E
Andrade
Alberto A
AA
Antunes
Ana L N
AL
Barbieri
Joaquim A
JA
Claro
Miguel
M
Srougi
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007843:Latin America; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019935:Penile Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D015917:Penile Prosthesis; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome