Advances in prosthetic technology offer effective solutions in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Among these solutions, the most advanced and frequently preferred option is the 3-piece inflatable prosthesis. This article explains how a 3-piece inflatable penile prosthesis works from both mechanical and practical perspectives.
What Are the Three Components of the Prosthesis?
The system consists of three main components completely concealed inside the body:
- Two Cylinders: Inflatable tubes placed inside the erectile chambers (corpus cavernosum) of the penis.
- Reservoir: A soft container placed in the lower abdomen that holds sterile saline solution.
- Pump and Release Valve Unit: A mechanism placed inside the scrotum alongside the testicles, easily palpable by hand.
Mechanism of Action: Step-by-Step Use
Before sexual intercourse, the patient squeezes the pump located in the scrotum a few times. The pump draws fluid from the abdominal reservoir into the cylinders inside the penis, creating a natural erection. After intercourse, the small release valve on the pump is pressed. Fluid returns from the cylinders back to the reservoir, allowing the penis to become fully flaccid and return to its natural resting state.