What type of surgery can be done for erectile dysfunction (ED)?
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Debra Fulghum Bruce PhD answered:Surgery of the arteries which lead to the penis is uncommon but is used in some cases in which patients have certain types of arterial blockage and cannot use other treatments. This is especially useful in young men after injuries to the pelvis or nearby areas. It is not very useful for those men, usually older, who have more widespread artery blockage from atherosclerosis. The success depends on the individual situation in this operation. Your urologist can give you the best advice in your own case.
Surgery of the arteries which lead to the penis is uncommon but is used in some cases in which patients have certain types of arterial blockage and cannot use other treatments. This is especially useful in young men after injuries to the pelvis or... More -
Dr. Jay T. Bishoff of Intermountain Healthcare answered:There are many treatments for erectile dysfunction and we start with the least invasive treatments. First the oral medications and if they are not effective, the next step is injection treatment. With injections the patient injects a small amount of medicaiton in the side of the penis before intercourse. If these fail, we can place a penile implant inside the penis that is not seen from the outside. Implants come in two basic types, one is alwys erect but bends at the pelvis to be concealed. The second type is inflatable. When the patient wants to have intercourse he uses a pump in the scrotum to inflate the penis. After intercourse the implant is deflated using the same device hidden inside the scrotum. The main risk of implants is infection. Average recovery time is 7-14 days.There are many treatments for erectile dysfunction and we start with the least invasive treatments. First the oral medications and if they are not effective, the next step is injection treatment. With injections the patient injects a small amount of... More -
Dr. Natan Bar-Chama of The Mount Sinai Medical Center answered:If drug treatments, injections, and other non-surgical therapies are not successful in resolving erectile dysfunction (ED), and psychological causes are not suspected, you and your physician may consider penile implant surgery. Studies show high satisfaction with this treatment option among patients and their partners.
A penile implant (also called a penile prosthesis) is concealed entirely within the body, and requires some degree of manipulation before and after intercourse to make the penis erect or flaccid. There are different types of implants. In choosing a penile implant, considerations include your medical condition, lifestyle, personal preference, and cost. Types of penile implants used to treat ED include:
- Non-inflatable implants or prosthesis. This type of implant consists of a pair of cylinders that are placed into the penis and can be positioned up for intercourse or down for regular lifestyle activities.
- Two-piece inflatable implant or prosthesis. This type of implant consists of a pair of cylinders implanted into the penis and a single pump bulb implanted into the scrotum. You simply squeeze the pump to inflate it and bend the penis to deflate it.
- Three-piece inflatable implant or prosthesis. This type provides a natural appearing erection and greater flaccidity than the two-piece or malleable (non-inflatable) implants. This prosthesis consists of a reservoir implanted in the abdomen, a pump placed into the scrotum and a pair of cylinders implanted in the penis.
Surgery to insert a penile implant may be performed as an outpatient procedure. It generally lasts from 30 minutes to more than an hour. The procedure is performed under local or general anesthesia.
Medicare and most commercial insurance providers cover the diagnosis and treatment of ED.
If drug treatments, injections, and other non-surgical therapies are not successful in resolving erectile dysfunction (ED), and psychological causes are not suspected, you and your physician may consider penile implant surgery. Studies show high... More
