Korean J Urol.  2015 Mar;56(3):179-186. 10.4111/kju.2015.56.3.179.

Evolution of penile prosthetic devices

• Le B
• Burnett AL

• KMID: 2133285
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4111/kju.2015.56.3.179

Abstract

Penile implant usage dates to the 16th century yet penile implants to treat erectile dysfunction did not occur until nearly four centuries later. The modern era of penile implants has progressed rapidly over the past 50 years as physicians' knowledge of effective materials for penile prostheses and surgical techniques has improved. Herein, we describe the history of penile prosthetics and the constant quest to improve the technology. Elements of the design from the first inflatable penile prosthesis by Scott and colleagues and the Small-Carrion malleable penile prosthesis are still found in present iterations of these devices. While there have been significant improvements in penile prosthesis design, the promise of an ideal prosthetic device remains elusive. As other erectile dysfunction therapies emerge, penile prostheses will have to continue to demonstrate a competitive advantage. A particular strength of penile prostheses is their efficacy regardless of etiology, thus allowing treatment of even the most refractory cases.

Keyword

Erectile dysfunction; History; Penile prosthesis

MeSH Terms

Biomedical Technology
Erectile Dysfunction/*surgery/*therapy
Forecasting
Humans
Male
Penile Implantation/*methods
Penile Prosthesis/*trends
Penis/*surgery

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Various sizes of Small-Carrion prosthesis [12].

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  Fig. 2 Diagram of original inflatable penile prosthesis [34].

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