One of the biggest concerns for patients planning to undergo penile prosthesis (erectile dysfunction implant) surgery is the day of the operation and the subsequent recovery process. As it is a surgical procedure, patients naturally want to know what to expect. In this article, all the details regarding the stages of penile prosthesis surgery and the recovery period are explained.
Surgical Process and Stages
Prosthesis surgery is performed in a fully equipped hospital operating room:
- Anesthesia: The surgery is performed under general anesthesia or spinal anesthesia (numbing below the waist). The patient feels no pain.
- Surgical Incision (1-1.5 hours): A small incision of approximately 3-4 cm is made at the junction of the underside of the penis and the scrotum (penoscrotal incision). This is a hidden area not visible from the outside.
- Device Placement: The spongy tissues in the penile shaft are opened, and the prosthetic cylinders are placed. The pump is concealed in the scrotum, and the fluid reservoir is hidden under the lower abdomen.
- Aesthetic Closure: The incised tissues are aesthetically closed with dissolvable sutures.
Post-Operative Recovery Process
Patients are usually hospitalized for 1 night after the surgery. Mild tingling and fullness in the groin area are normal for the first few days and are managed with pain relievers. Sutures dissolve spontaneously within 2 weeks. Activating the device for sexual intercourse (initial inflation and training) is performed during clinical follow-ups 4 to 6 weeks after the surgery. Sexual abstinence must be observed during this period.