Manufacturers' data show increasing implanted cylinder sizes and measured corporal lengths in inflatable penile implants.

Abstract

We sought to determine whether measured corporal length (MCL) or implanted device size (IDS) has changed. Data were obtained from the two major penile implant companies from the years of 2005-2010 and analyzed. While we requested similar data, companies supplied information at their discretion with MCL provided by American Medical Systems and IDS provided by Coloplast. Intra-patient corporal discrepancies, disease state effects, rear tip extenders (RTEs) use and place of implantation were also provided in some part by companies. MCL and IDS increased during the study period. Despite the general trend of MCL/IDS, clinically significant (0.5cm or greater) decreases in MCLs were noted in patients with Peyronie's disease (PD) or a history of radical pelvic surgery (excludes prostatectomy). In only 2.7% of cases was there an intra-patient discrepancy in cylinder size (>1cm). IDS was longer in the USA (US, 19.4cm) compared to outside the US (OUS, 17.7cm, p<0.0001). Cylinders were implanted without RTEs in 48.3% of US cases and 73.7% of OUS cases (p<0.0001). In Coloplast devices there was an overall statistically significant change in the use of 16cm (less utilized) and 20 and 22cm (more utilized) cylinder lengths during the study period in US implants. MCL and IDS increased during the study period. Men with a history of PD or radical pelvic surgery are at highest risk to have shorter MCL and to possibly receive shorter implants. Intra-patient IDS inconsistency is rare and should prompt investigation.