Inflatable penile prosthesis implantation into scarred corporal bodies: timing may decrease postoperative problems

Objectives To compare the rates of intra- and postoperative complications between early (<4 months) or delayed (>4 months) inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) re-implantation performed after a fibrosis-inducing event. Patients and Methods Cases of IPP re-implantation were performed by a single, high-volume prosthetic surgeon in hospitals domestically and abroad over a 15-year period (2001-2016). The time interval from the precipitating event to operation, intra-operative complications and postoperative complications for up to 1 year after implantation, were recorded. Results A total of 72 cases of IPP re-implantation were recorded. There were 16 (53%) intraoperative complications in patients who had surgery at <4 months (Group 1) and 23 (55%) in patients operated at >4 months (Group 2). There were four (13%) postoperative complications in Group 1 and 14 (33%) in Group 2. Conclusion Re-implantation of an IPP into fibrotic corporal bodies is associated with less serious postoperative complications when performed within 4 months of the fibrosis-inducing event.