Subcutaneous Placement of Inflatable Penile Prosthesis Reservoirs

Abstract

To review our experience with subcutaneous inflatable penile prosthesis reservoir insertion in a large, single-surgeon series. We carried out a retrospective review of 1000 consecutive Coloplast Titan inflatable penile implant procedures carried out by a single high-volume surgeon. Eight patients underwent subcutaneous reservoir placement (SRP) and are the subject of this review. Eight of our last 1000 patients underwent SRP. SRP was only employed in patients with a thick subcutaneous abdominal fat layer, which would be capable of concealing the reservoir. Seven patients recovered uneventfully, and none reported a palpable or visible reservoir. One patient, who had 5 prior penile implant procedures, developed peri-prosthetic infection, and required complete device removal. Reservoir removal in this obese patient was facilitated by the device's subcutaneous location. SRP is a viable option for carefully selected obese patients. We suggest that this approach only be utilized in those with high body mass index and a thick subcutaneous abdominal fat layer. In thinner patients, the reservoir will be visible and/or palpable; we do not recommend subcutaneous placement under those circumstances.