Infrapubic approach for malleable penile implant

Abstract

Today, we find that the implant of malleable prostheses still plays a leading role in the surgical treatment of erectile dysfunction. These may involve patients for which the cosmetic advantages of inflatable devices are not as important as low cost, the easier use and less incidence of mechanical complications in the malleable implants. This paper demonstrates infrapubic approach as a technical option for this kind of implant. It offers technical resources and emphasizes the facility in using the method, reducing cutaneous exposure, which diminishes risks of contamination. As occurs in inflatable implants, when implanting malleable prostheses through the infrapubic access, care must also be taken regarding the possibility of lesion to the vascular-nervous bundle. On the other hand, the approach through the dorsal surface of the corpora cavernosa has a natural capacity for anatomical protection of the urethra, not requiring transurethral catheterization. This benefit is of the utmost importance when considering possible causes of per and postoperative morbidity. Accordingly, we can consider that the infrapubic approach is an effective method and prevails as a technical option for implanting malleable prostheses.