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What to Expect From a Penile Pump Implant

Summary & Participants

For many men suffering from erectile dysfunction, the solution to their problem lies not in medications or sex therapy but rather in a surgically implanted device called an Internal Penile Pump.

Medically Reviewed On: July 02, 2008

Webcast Transcript

DAVID R. MARKS, MD: Hi, and welcome to our webcast. I'm Dr. David Marks. For many men suffering from erectile dysfunction, the solution to their problem does not lie in medications or sex therapy, but rather in a surgically implanted device called an internal penile pump. Men who are thinking about this option have a lot of questions, so today we're going to try to answer them. We're going to talk to some people who know all about this device.

Dr. François Eid is a surgeon in private practice in Manhattan, and he's the Director of Advanced Urological Care. Thanks for being with us.

J. FRANÇOIS EID, MD: Thank you, David.

DAVID R. MARKS, MD: So, Dr. Eid, it's obviously hard to make the decision to have this implanted.

J. FRANÇOIS EID, MD: Yes.

DAVID R. MARKS, MD: But once the decision is made, what should people expect?

J. FRANÇOIS EID, MD: I think they should expect normal function, a feeling of normalcy and being able to make love whenever that individual wishes to do it.

DAVID R. MARKS, MD: There must be a lot of fears about the surgery -- if it's going to work, how it's going to feel. How do you prepare them?

J. FRANÇOIS EID, MD: It's not easy, David, and one has to spend time with the patient talking about the procedure itself, the device and what it can do for that particular patient. So I really start by showing a tape of a patient with a device and showing that patient actually activating and deactivating the device, and what the tape shows is that the person looks totally normal. That's number one.

Number two, when the person finds out that it's a fluid filled device, they have all sorts of questions. How do you put it in? Do you need to cut the whole penis? Does the pump stick out of the skin? Do I have normal sensation? Will I be able to reach orgasm? So all these concerns have to be explained to the patient, and very often we'll actually preempt the question and describe the device and what it does in a lot of detail.

I think it is very important for an individual who is thinking of this option to ask as many questions as possible, and we guys don't ask questions, and that's one of the things that limits, sometimes, our medical treatment options.

DAVID R. MARKS, MD: Tell us briefly about the operation.

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