Prosthetic urology uses implanted devices to treat stress urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction (ED). These devices are an effective option when other treatments, such as medications, are not successful.
At Penn Medicine, our reconstruction program is highly experienced in placing these devices, which are discreet and offer life-changing benefits. Meet our urinary reconstruction specialists.
Types of Urological Prosthetic Surgery
A surgeon's skill and experience are crucial when considering a prosthetic implant for your bladder or penis. Our surgeons are among the top doctors in the world in performing these delicate procedures. They have extensive experience in:
- Artificial urinary sphincter and urethral sling
- Penile prosthesis (prosthetic penis implant)
- Revision and correction of previous prosthetic implants
- Testicular prosthesis placement
Artificial urinary sphincter and urethral sling
Stress incontinence (urine leakage with activity, coughing or sneezing) can interfere with daily life. When other therapies haven't worked well, a prosthetic implant may be the answer.
Our doctors are skilled urological surgeons who offer:
- Artificial urethral sphincter: This donut-shaped device fits securely around the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body from the bladder) and is connected to a pump and reservoir. The reservoir slowly inflates on its own to hold urine throughout the day. When you're ready to urinate, you squeeze the pump, which is usually placed in your genital area. This action deflates the device, and you can urinate normally.
- Urethral sling: Our doctors use a variety of sling procedures to support the urethra after previous surgeries or pregnancy. This process can relieve symptoms of stress incontinence. Our surgeons use different materials for the sling, ranging from your own tissue to special materials that dissolve over time to synthetic materials.
Penile prosthesis (prosthetic penis implant)
A penile prosthesis helps males obtain an erection with a device that's hidden inside the body. If erectile dysfunction has been resistant to medications or other treatments, prosthetic penile implant surgery offers a more advanced option.
Our doctors provide the full range of penile prosthesis options, including:
- Inflatable penile prosthesis: An inflatable prosthesis allows you to switch between a normal flaccid penis and an erection. It allows the penis to be rigid for sexual activity or masturbation. An inflatable prosthesis gives the penis a natural appearance in the erect and flaccid state. The device is hidden within the body and controlled by a small pump in the scrotum.
- Malleable penile prosthesis: This device consists of rods inside the penis that you can shape and move into different positions. There is no pump to use, but the penis remains the same size and hardness all the time.
Prosthetic implant revision and correction
If you had a previous urology implant that needs correction, our surgeons can help. We specialize in revisions of penile implants, artificial urinary sphincters and urethral slings. Our extensive experience in urological reconstruction allows us to care for the most complex surgical cases.
Make an Appointment
Call 800-789-7366 or request a callback.