What is recovery like after penile implant surgery?
Recovery after penile implant surgery usually involves some pain, which in the experience of the American guideline panel resolves within one to three months. Early problems such as swelling or bruising occur in a mean of 3.4% of men and are rarely serious. When the device is first used depends on healing and on the surgeon, because no universal post-operative protocol exists.
What happens in the first days after implant surgery?
Most men have some pain after penile implant surgery. Pain in the early post-operative period is not well documented in published studies, but in the experience of the AUA guideline panel it resolves completely within one to three months.
Early problems are usually minor. Across published studies, swelling or bruising of the penis occurred in a mean of 3.4% of men and being unable to pass urine in a mean of 2.0%. These problems were rarely serious and generally settled with simple care, such as a short-term catheter for difficulty passing urine.
Are antibiotics continued after implant surgery?
Antibiotic practice varies. A 2008 AUA policy recommends antibiotics starting one hour before surgery and continuing for up to 24 hours after it. The European guideline lists antibiotics for more than 24 hours among measures that might help prevent infection but lack definitive evidence.
A consensus statement from the Asia-Pacific Society for Sexual Medicine recommends antibiotics through a drip around the time of surgery followed by antibiotic tablets afterwards. The choice of antibiotic is often based on the surgeon's preference, the patient's medical history and local hospital guidelines.
When can the implant first be used?
The time before the device can be used safely is part of the counselling before surgery. According to the Asia-Pacific consensus, the timing of the first inflation and deflation is largely based on how comfortable the patient is and on the surgeon's own practice.
Before surgery, the steps of operating an inflatable implant are demonstrated so that the man and his partner are confident using it. Patients should be able to operate the device easily, and any problems after surgery should be dealt with promptly.
Why do recovery plans differ between surgeons?
"There are currently no universal guidelines on postoperative care, and the use and choice of analgesia, antibiotics, and surgical dressing can vary depending on the surgeon's preference and local institution practice" Source 2, p. 4
Before surgery, men and their partners are counselled about the usual early and late course of recovery, including how likely pain is, how long it lasts and how healing progresses. Infection is the complication that matters most in the weeks after surgery. It usually appears within the first three months and usually means removing the device, which is why careful care after surgery is linked to patient satisfaction. Follow-up is important for checking how well and how safely a treatment works, and essential for checking whether the patient is satisfied.