Penile Implants

Educational Video: Causes and Treatments Options for Erectile Dysfunction

What are penile implants?

Penile implants are devices that Dr. Chung surgically implants in your penis. These devices help you to obtain and maintain an erection without changing your ability to feel, orgasm, or urinate. Boston Scientific which acquired American Medical Systems (AMS) and Coloplast are the two companies that make penile implants in the United States. Dr. Chung works with both companies to help provide the best care for his patients.

What is an inflatable penile implant?

An inflatable penile implant (AMS 700 or Coloplast Titan) is the most naturally appearing device that has the ability to become the most flaccid and most rigid. It is composed of a scrotal pump that’s around the size of a small marble and a fluid reservoir hidden in your lower abdomen. The pump is hidden in your scrotal skin, and you depress it to fill the cylinders with fluid. This creates an erection. After intercourse, you depress the release button to route the fluid back to the reservoir and return your penis to a non-erect position.

Click here to view a live demonstration of inflating and deflating an inflatable penile prosthesis.

What is a malleable or semi-rigid penile implant?

A malleable or semi-rigid penile implant (AMS Tactra or Coloplast Genesis) is a more straightforward device with less moving parts. It may be bent into the desired position for sexual function or concealment. Although it may not inflate and deflate, it has been designed to be soft to the touch and strong in function. Due to it’s simpler design, surgery and recovery are faster after malleable penile implant placement compared to the inflatable penile implant.

    

Am I a good candidate for a penile implant?

Dr. Chung performs a comprehensive exam, does diagnostic testing, and reviews your symptoms carefully to determine whether a penile implant could be right for you. If you’re unable to achieve an erection naturally, a penile implant might be a good solution for you. 

As a fellowship-trained reconstructive surgeon with specialized training in penile implants, Dr. Chung can help all of the following candidates with penile implant surgery.

• First-time surgery patients
• Revision surgery for patients who already have a penile implant
• Replacement surgery for patients who had a penile implant removed

Another group of patients who may be good candidates for penile implants are those suffering from Peyronie’s disease, or curvature of the penis. 

Are penile implants covered by insurance?

Yes, penile implants are covered by Medicare and most private insurance plans. Dr. Chung’s office will work with your insurance company to conduct a thorough evaluation. Patients who are not covered by insurance may work with Dr. Chung’s office to evaluate other payment options.

How is penile implant surgery for Peyronie’s disease unique?

Peyronie’s disease causes scar tissue called plaque to grow inside your penis. The plaques often cause penile curvature, but in some cases, plaques can create a different kind of deformity called a bottleneck on the penis shaft. The plaques can shorten your penis and may lead to erection pain or erectile dysfunction. 

Because Peyronie’s disease can cause serious penis distortion, penile implant surgery can be more complex for Peyronie’s sufferers. Dr. Chung can perform a combination of procedures along with a penile implant to correct Peyronie’s issues, including:

• Manual modeling: gentle stretching of the penis to elongate and break plaques
• Penile plication: suturing the side of the penis to correct curvature
• Plaque excision: removal of plaque to restore penile shape and length

Dr. Chung tailors penile implants for your unique needs, even if you have complex Peyronie’s problems.

What kind of incision is made for penile implants?

Dr. Chung uses several types of incisions, including:

• Penoscrotal: just below the penis-scrotum junction
• Infrapubic: just above the penis near the pubic bone 
• Subcoronal: an incision below the head of the penis on the penile shaft 

The kind of incision you need depends on your particular anatomy, health history, personal needs, and the device selected.

Call the office of Paul H. Chung, MD, for penile implant consultation in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania now.