Penile prosthesis implant is a safe and effective option in erectile dysfunction patients, being implant procedures safe with a low risk of infection. However, when infection occurs, it represents a concrete problem for both surgeon and patient.
This is a comprehensive review of all issues relating to prosthesis infection, including causes and risk factors, methods of prevention, and management. We analyzed all preoperative and perioperative factors, which can play a role in infection of the device.
Infection of penile prosthesis implant is hard to manage and correct. While the incidence of infection following first implant is up to 3%, in cases of re-implant surgery, the rate can reach as high as 18%. Many articles were found addressing prevention and treatment of penile prosthesis infection, and many analyzed all relevant pre- and perioperative factors associated with penile prosthesis implant. Although such factors have been well studied, there is no clear consensus worldwide on certain topics.
Penile prosthesis implant is a safe and effective option. Despite infection is a rare event, surgeons should follow strictly pre-, intra- and postoperative recommendations in order to reduce the risk of device's infection. An appropriate antibiotic therapy should be tailored on patient's characteristics and pathogens isolated.
Urologia internationalis. 2020 Jun 15 [Epub ahead of print]
Marco Cosentino, Marta Bianco, Eduard Ruiz-Castañé, Massimo Iafrate
Head of Andrology and Urology Department, Casa di Cura Villa Maria, Padova, Italy, ., Department of Surgical, Oncological and Gastroenterological Sciences, Urology Clinic, University of Padua, Padua, Italy., Head of Andrology Department, Fundació Puigvert, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.