Today many men with erectile dysfunction are treated with Viagra and other drugs, intra cavernous injection, vacuum device or counseling, to help them have a satisfying sex life, but what if all this does not work? In such cases, penile implant (where a firm rod or inflatable device is placed in the penis via a surgical procedure) is the only option. Dr. Rupin Shah, an Andrologist from Mumbai, participated in a symposia on penile implant at Asia Pacific Society for Sexual Medicine (APSSM) held at Hilton tower in Mumbai on 1, 2 and 3 December. Dr. Shah apprises general public about how this problem can be treated effectively.

What ! Are you saying that you are going to put that into this,” screamed the hulk sitting across my desk, half standing up from his chair. His left index finger was pointing to a picture of an implantable penile prosthesis on my computer screen, and his right index finger was pointing to his crotch. This man's style was very graphic and literal.

“Yes, you heard me right the first time,” I reiterated. “I am saying that the best treatment option for you is a penile implant. We have already tried all other methods and they haven't worked. This is our last resort.” “But doctor,” he gulped, and his body was shaking, “that part is so delicate. How will I be able to tolerate it?! You said that one of those has a metal core inside it !"
The guy was huge, and strong. He looked like he'd earn respect even from the WWF. How different real manhood can be from apparent manhood, I thought to myself.
“Now listen to me,” I continued, “I have already told you that foreign materials have been used in surgery for hundreds of years. Today, there are chaps living in this world with stainless steel valves in their hearts, people have metal rods and plates fixed on their bones, guys live with bullets and tubes in their skulls, and entire joints are replaced with artificial acrylic substitutes. Women have implants inserted into their breasts, and cardiac patients have pacemakers under their skins. So what's the big fuss about a simple penile implant? Thousands of men worldwide have these inside their bodies.”

Mr Hulk stared at me imploringly, looking more like a cornered rat than like a WWF prospect. “I’m petrified doc. Besides, all this is all artificial stuff, isn't it? It’s not going to be really my penis that's erect after the operation. Tell me one last time, is there no way out ?”
“Of course there is a way out,” I said reassuringly, “You can choose to remain impotent. Nobody can force you to undergo this.”
The prospect of continuing to remain impotent seemed to do it for him. He must have thought of his wife and realised that nothing else in life can be more dangerous in comparison. His head started to move up and down in a slow, oscillatory nod, finally beginning to grasp the inevitability of his situation.

“Erectile dysfunction is a physical handicap,” I told him, “much like lameness. If you were to lose a leg due to accident or disease and were told that you can never walk again without crutches, callipers, or an artificial leg, what would you choose? Would you opt to remain lame? Or would you accept the component of compromise inherent in the treatment option?”
“Ok doc,” WWF said, grabbing my hand and crushing it in a brutal handshake, “In that case, I'd like to opt for the best implant. Can we do it Monday next?”


The main objective of a penile implant is that the patient is able to achieve satisfaction during sexual intercourse with no complication and in a way which satisfies both the partners.

There are two types of penile implants: Semi-rigid or malleable rods - The main advantage of this option is that it has less mech a n i c a l wear and tear, is simple and costs less. The only disadvantage is that it offers less concealment.

The second type of penile implant is inflatable prosthesis. This option has a twopiece and a three-piece structure. The threepiece option has a cylinder and a reservoir pump. While the main advantage of this option is that it mimics natural erection, the disadvantages are high cost and mechanical wear and tear.

The inflatable prosthesis consists of two cylinders, a reservoir and pump. The two cylinders are inserted into the penis and are connected by tubing to a reservoir, which is placed under the groin muscles. A pump is also connected to the system and kept under the skin of the scrotal sac. On pressing the pump, the fluid from the reservoir is transferred to the cylinder causing to inflate them (erection). Pressing on the deflation valve at the base of the pump returns the fluid back, making the penis flaccid. With a hospital stay of a day or two, the inflatable prosthesis is like wearing a wristwatch something that one is not aware of until it is to be used.

The inflatable prosthesis hardly affects user's sex life as there is no change in sensation and the ability to reach orgasm and ejaculation is not affected even though the natural reflex erection is destroyed.

The only caution to take care of is that if the implant is removed then the patient may never have natural erection again.

Since there is no single Prosthesis that is best for all patients; therefore, it is imperative that the urologist and patient have a detailed discussion about the benefit, risk and drawbacks of each type. For example, the semi-rigid prosthesis is good for men with poor hand mobility, older men etc.


Before performing a penile implant, certain diagnostic tests are must, which includes Intracorporal injection, stimulation and Duplex ultrasound.
With an 80 to 90 per cent of patients and their partners reporting satisfaction with the erection quality, the complication, which this prosthesis offers is infection, erosion and mechanical failure.

More at: http://www.edtreatmentindia.com/