University of Virginia Health System

Penile Implants: 100 % Effective for Erectile Dysfunction

Penile implants that treat erectile dysfunction have been improving over the years. William Steers, M.D., chair of the Department of Urology at the University of Virginia Health System, performs several such procedures each year.

The procedure replaces the spongy tissue inside the penis that normally fills with blood during an erection. Implants can be a good option, particularly for men with diabetes, blood vessel disease, Peyronie's disease (curvature of the penis) and spinal cord injury.

The three types of implants offered at UVa are:

• The hydraulic pump: A pump and two cylinders are placed within the erection chambers of the penis which causes an erection by releasing a saline solution; it can also remove the solution to deflate the penis.
• A prosthesis: 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.
• Interlocking soft plastic blocks: These are placed within the erection chambers of the penis and can be inflated or deflated using a cable that passes through them.

Infection is the most common cause of penile implant failure but is treatable with antibiotics. "Penile implants are 100 percent effective," Steers says. "About 125,000 to 200,000 men in the United States have an implant."

To make an appointment with Dr. Steers, call 888-882-9892.