What Are the Types of Penile Implants?
By Dr. Zülfü Sertkaya's Team · 6 min read
Summary: Penile implants are generally divided into two main categories: Three-piece inflatable implants and semi-rigid (malleable) implants. Depending on the patient's anatomy, manual dexterity, and budget, one of the FDA-approved brands such as Coloplast, Boston Scientific, and Rigicon is preferred.
Types and Features of Penile Implants
Penile implants used in the surgical treatment of erectile dysfunction are medical devices specially designed to mimic natural erection biomechanics. The most commonly applied and scientifically proven penile implant types in Turkey (Istanbul) are:
1. Three-Piece Inflatable Penile Implants (Most Advanced Model)
It is accepted as the "gold standard" in modern urology and is the model that gives the closest feeling to a natural erection. It consists of three parts:
- Cylinders: Placed in the erection chambers (corpora cavernosa) inside the penis.
- Pump: Secretly placed inside the scrotum, between the testicles.
- Reservoir (Fluid Depot): Hidden behind the abdominal membrane and contains sterile fluid.
How It Works? When the pump in the scrotum is pressed a few times before sexual intercourse, fluid is pumped from the reservoir to the cylinders, and the penis reaches a natural rigidity (both length and thickness increase). At the end of the intercourse, the deflate button on the pump is pressed, the fluid returns to the reservoir, and the penis becomes flaccid again.
From the outside, it is absolutely impossible to tell that there is a prosthesis. The best-known reliable brands are: Coloplast Titan Touch, Boston Scientific AMS 700CX, and Rigicon Trium.
2. Semi-Rigid (Malleable) Penile Implants
They are single-piece prostheses with a simpler mechanism that do not require pumping. There is a bendable wire/spring system inside a silicone sheath.
- Features: The penis remains constantly at a certain rigidity. During intercourse, the penis is manually straightened and positioned, and in daily life, it is bent and hidden inside the clothing.
- Usage Areas: It is ideal for patients with limited manual dexterity who cannot use the pump in inflatable models (e.g., severe rheumatoid arthritis or Parkinson's patients) or for those looking for a more economical solution.
Which Implant is Right for You?
When deciding which prosthesis to implant, the patient's medical history, pelvic anatomy, previous surgeries, and personal preferences are taken into consideration. In the operations we perform in Istanbul, our patients are given detailed pre-operative counseling, and the most appropriate prosthesis model is selected in light of scientific guidelines. A penile implant is a lifelong, permanent, and reliable solution.