Insertion of implants (prostheses) into your penis to allow erections for sexual intercourse.

The entire device is implanted into the body and is not otherwise visible. Penile prostheses are usually reserved for patients who failed to respond to other treatments. They may also be used in patients with other conditions in which erections have been affected e.g. priapism (prolonged, painful erections) or Peyronie’s Disease.

Although surgery is reserved for patients who have exhausted other treatments, you should discuss the merits of any treatment you have not tried with our Urological Surgeon Dr Philippe Wolanski. You may not be suitable for certain treatments, as a result of specific medical factors.

No referral required. Simply book an initial consultation with the Specialist Verve Doctors.

Please see our penile prosthesis pricing index below. This index details all associated costs which shall be processed through your private health provider.

If you do not have private health insurance, please contact our friendly reception staff for more information on how to obtain a quote.

You will be required to obtain blood and urine tests several days prior to the surgery. You will usually be admitted to hospital on the same day as your surgery and you will need to fast before the procedure. Once you have been admitted, you will be seen by the Verve Doctors. Immediately before the operation, the anaesthetist may give you a pre-medication which will make you dry-mouthed and pleasantly sleepy.

If you regularly take aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin or other “blood thinning agents” you must discuss this with Dr Philippe, because these drugs can cause increased bleeding after surgery. Stopping them may reduce the risk of bleeding but this can result in increased clotting, which may also carry a risk to your health. You will need to discuss the risks and benefits of the treatment with Dr Jonny or your regular GP, and Urologist Dr Philippe.

At your initial erectile dysfunction consultation, if you suffer from any of the following health conditions, please discuss with Dr Philippe:

• An artificial heart valve
• A coronary artery stent
• A heart pacemaker or defibrillator
• An artificial joint
• An artificial blood-vessel graft
• A neurosurgical shunt
• Any other implanted foreign body
• A regular prescription for warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix®, Iscover®), dabigatran (Pradaza®), apixaban (Eliquis®) or rivaroxaban (Xarelto®)
• A previous or current MRSA infection or VRE infection

Either a full general anaesthetic (where you are asleep) or a spinal anaesthetic (where you are unable to feel anything from the waist down) will be administered. All methods reduce the level of pain afterwards. Your anaesthetist will explain the pros and cons of each type of anaesthetic to you.

The implant may be either bendy (malleable) or inflatable; the latter requires a mechanical pump. Not all patients are suitable for both types but this will have been discussed in detail with you before the procedure. An incision is usually made at the junction of the penis and scrotum. Dr Philippe may make a second incision to put in the balloon reservoir into the abdomen.

Most procedures have possible side-effects and risks. But, although the complications listed below are well-recognised, most patients do not suffer any problems.

Common (greater than 1 in 10)

• Temporary swelling and bruising of the penis lasting several days

Occasional (between 1 in 10 and 1 in 50)

• Significant bleeding or infection needing further treatment (including removal of all or part of the prosthesis in 2 to 3%)
• Drooping of the glans penis needing correction
• Mechanical failure needing revision at a later stage; this may involve replacement of all or part of the device and can happen at any stage, from a few months to several years later
• Self-inflation due to mechanical failure

Rare (less than 1 in 50)

• Injury to the bowel or bladder during insertion of the balloon component within the abdomen
• Erosion of the prosthesis where a part of the device may break out of its normal position and appear at another site
• Clot formation in the deep leg or pelvic veins (which may cause leg swelling), which may break off and go to the lung causing respiratory complications

Hospital-acquired infection (<1%)

• Colonisation with MRSA or VRE
• MRSA or VRE bloodstream infection
• Clostridium difficile bowel infection

The rates for hospital-acquired infection may be greater in high-risk patients, for example those patients:

• with long-term drainage tubes;
• who have had a long stay in hospital; or
• who have been admitted to hospital many times.

It is important to discuss any concerns you have with Dr Philippe at your initial erectile dysfunction consultation.

If you become unwell, have temperatures or there is increased redness or pus drainage at the site of the operation, please present to you emergency department and get them to contact your urologist.

If there are any post-procedure concerns or questions that are non-emergent, please call our clinic and ask to speak with our GP Dr Jonny and our Urologist Dr. Philippe, or discuss them at your follow up appointment.

You will be visited by one of the Verve Doctors and informed of how the procedure went. You can then discuss issues such as:

• if the surgery went as planned
• if you are in any discomfort
• ask what you can and cannot do
• feel free to ask any questions or discuss any concerns with Dr Philippe or members of the surgical team
• make sure that you are clear about what has been done and what happens next.

If an inflatable prosthesis has been implanted, we leave it in the inflated position overnight to reduce bleeding, but it will be partially deflated before you go home. You may experience discomfort for a few days, but painkillers will be provided for you to take home. Absorbable stitches are normally used which do not require removal. A catheter may be inserted into the bladder for 24 to 48 hours after the operation, to prevent any problem with passing urine. Once the catheter has been removed, and you are passing urine normally, you will be able to go home. Some surgeons use a tube drain temporarily (overnight) to prevent collection of blood at the operation site.

The average hospital stay is two days after surgery. You will be asked not to inflate the prosthesis until an outpatient appointment at three weeks. At that stage, we will teach you to inflate and deflate it (this is known “cycling” the prosthesis).

It is not advisable to have sex for at least six weeks after the operation. Please discuss any further questions you have with Dr Philippe.

Usually no driving is recommended until at least 2 weeks after the procedure when comfortable.

It is your responsibility to make sure you are fit to drive following your surgery. You do not normally need to tell the department of transport or your insurance provider that you have had surgery. You should, however, check with your insurance company before returning to driving if you have concerns or questions. The Verve Doctors will be happy to give you advice on this.

When you are discharged from hospital, you will:

• be given advice about your recovery at home
• be made aware of when you can begin normal activities again, such as work, exercise, driving, housework and sex;
• be informed of when your follow-up will be.

You will get swelling of the penis and scrotum after a few days which may last up to 10 days but will then subside. Do not be alarmed because it is expected. You will be sent home on oral antibiotics, take them as directed.

Your follow-up appointment will be scheduled around 3 weeks post-procedure. This will take place at our clinic on Denham Street in Townsville City.