Implantation of a penile prosthesis

The Goldstadt Private Clinic offers state-of-the-art medical solutions for patients with erectile dysfunction – including the implantation of a penile prosthesis. Basically, a distinction is made between two types of prosthesis: flexible (semi-rigid) and hydraulic models. At the Goldstadt Private Clinic, the hydraulic models are preferred because they come closest to nature and are therefore much better accepted by patients.

Hydraulic penile prostheses consist of various components that can be filled with fluid. The prosthesis can be activated when required via a pump placed in the scrotum – allowing the erection to be controlled very naturally. At rest, the penis is soft and inconspicuous.

At the Goldstadt Private Clinic, under the medical direction of Prof. Dr. med. Sven Lahme, an experienced specialist in urology will advise you individually on the various types of implant and recommend the optimal model for you – based on the medical indication and your personal needs.

How a penile prosthesis works depends on the type of implant. At the Goldstadt Private Clinic, a hydraulic penile prosthesis is mainly used, as it comes closest to the natural erection mechanism. Such a prosthesis consists of two cylindrical implants that replace the natural erectile bodies of the penis. In addition, there is a pump in the scrotum and a fluid reservoir in the lower abdomen. By operating the pump, fluid is pumped from the reservoir into the cylinders – the penis becomes erect. After sexual intercourse, the fluid can be returned to the reservoir, causing the penis to become flaccid again.

Prof. Dr. med. Sven Lahme, lead surgeon at the Goldstadt Private Clinic, has extensive experience with this demanding surgical technique. Thanks to his specialisation in minimally invasive reconstructive urology, patients benefit from a safe procedure and report a high level of satisfaction with the result.

No – modern penile prostheses are not visible from the outside. A hydraulic prosthesis is implanted completely under the skin. Even in close physical contact or in everyday life, the implant is not recognisable to others. The hydraulic penile prosthesis in particular enables a very natural look and feel – both in the flaccid and in the erect state. After the procedure at the Goldstadt Private Clinic, patients report that they feel unimpaired in everyday life – even in intimate situations.

Prof. Dr. med. Sven Lahme attaches great importance to an inconspicuous, functional and aesthetically convincing solution for every patient – tailored to their respective life situation.

An incision is made in the area of the base of the penis, through which the artificial erectile bodies are inserted in place of the natural ones. These can later be filled with fluid before sexual intercourse, which is pumped there from a reservoir. This reservoir is inserted in the pelvic area and connected to the prosthesis via small tubes. The pump is located in the scrotum and can later easily be operated by the patients themselves.

Health insurance can in principle cover the costs – provided there is a medical indication, for example therapy-resistant erectile dysfunction after prostate cancer or other diseases.
The Goldstadt Private Clinic offers comprehensive advice on the costs, the indication and possible billing with your health insurance company. The costs incurred for treatment in a private clinic are in principle reimbursed by private health insurance companies, depending on the individual insurance contract. For patients with statutory health insurance, there are also ways of covering the costs in certain cases – for example through an individual case decision or upon application.

Prof. Dr. med. Sven Lahme and the entire team will be happy to support you with the medical documentation and are also available to advise you in a personal consultation.

Patients are admitted on the day of the operation. After the operation, inpatient treatment for 5–7 days is recommended. After 6 weeks, the prosthesis is activated for the first time and the patient is instructed in how to use it. You can have sex again about 2 months after discharge from the clinic. It is advisable not to work for 1–2 weeks after discharge and to take it easy physically.

In addition to the general risks of any operation, such as bleeding, inflammation and impaired wound healing, there are other special risks with this operation. As with any foreign body implantation, there is a risk of infection, which may mean that the prosthesis has to be removed again. The prosthesis may also fail after a few years. All possible risks of the surgical procedure are discussed in a detailed consultation before the operation.

The prospects of satisfactory sexual intercourse after the operation are good. However, the system sometimes fails after years.