Penile implants are mechanical devices that are surgically inserted into the body to help the individual achieve and/or sustain an erection. If medication or other treatments are not successful, the reliability and degree of spontaneity that a penile implant offers makes it a very satisfactory option for men with erectile dysfunction (ED). Patient and partner satisfaction with penile implants has been very high.

The types of penile implants used to treat ED including the following:

• Inflatable implants. This type of implant consists of a saline reservoir, a pump that is placed in the scrotum, and two cylinders that are placed within the erection chambers of the penis. The pumping of saline into the erection chambers causes an erection. The pump is also used to remove the solution and deflate the penis.


• Non-inflatable implants. Two semi-rigid but bendable rods are placed within the erection chambers of the penis which allows manipulation into an erect or non-erect position.

The procedure is usually covered by the majority of insurance providers. There is low risk of surgical complications of subsequent infection or mechanical failure, but these risks have decreased significantly through improvements in implant design, including the recent use of antibiotic-coated implants.