Management of infected penile implants

Abstract

Penile prosthesis implantation is associated with a relatively low wound infection rate (3%). Proper adherence to antiseptic principles has kept the incidence low. When an infection does occur, one has the option of removing the device, allowing the infection to clear and possibly returning at a later date for reimplantation, or a salvage procedure, i.e., removing all foreign material, cleansing the wound, and reinserting a new device. The experience with salvage has resulted in approximately 80-90% success in saving the erectile abilities in a number of series.