What is the Non-Touch Technique in Penile Prosthesis Surgery?

The Biggest Risk in Penile Implant Surgery: Infection

Penile prosthesis infection is one of the most serious complications of penile implant surgery. If an infection develops around the device, it almost always requires complete implant removal, a 6-month recovery period before reimplantation, and significant patient distress. Published data suggest overall infection rates of 1–3% in standard surgical practice.

This is why the surgical technique used to implant the device is critically important — and why the Non-Touch Technique represents such a significant advance in patient safety.

What Exactly is the Non-Touch Technique?

The Non-Touch Technique (also called the "no-touch" or "touchless" technique) is a surgical protocol specifically designed to prevent any direct contact between the penile prosthesis and the surgeon's hands or any potentially contaminated surface during the implantation procedure.

In conventional implant surgery, the prosthesis may be handled directly by the surgical team, increasing the risk of bacterial transfer. In the Non-Touch Technique:

• The prosthesis remains within a sterile protective cover from the moment it leaves its packaging until it is fully positioned within the patient's body
• Specialised instruments are used to place the cylinders without direct hand contact
• The entire system is prepared within a closed, sterile environment
• The surgical field is continuously irrigated with antibiotic solution
• The implant is additionally soaked in a triple-antibiotic solution (when the device does not already carry an antibiotic coating)

What Does the Evidence Show?

Studies comparing the Non-Touch Technique against standard implantation methods consistently demonstrate significantly lower infection rates. In Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sertkaya's practice at Andro Expertise, Istanbul, the infection rate has remained consistently below 1% across more than 2,500 procedures — well below the global benchmark.

Surgical Approach	Published Infection Rate
Standard technique (no antibiotic coating)	2–4%
Antibiotic-coated implant alone	1–2%
Non-Touch Technique + antibiotic coating	<1%

Advantages of the Non-Touch Technique for Patients

• Lower infection risk: The single most important factor in long-term implant success
• Faster recovery: Fewer complications means a smoother, quicker healing process
• Longer device lifespan: An infection-free implant can function reliably for 15–20 years
• Greater peace of mind: Patients can travel home knowing their risk of complications is minimised

For international patients flying to Istanbul for penile implant surgery, the Non-Touch Technique is particularly valuable — it reduces the risk of requiring emergency medical attention or reoperation after returning home.