Penile prostheses in the management of impotence in patients with end-stage renal disease
Ahuja, S.K.; Krane, N.K.; Hellstrom, W.J.
Journal of the Louisiana State Medical Society Official Organ of the Louisiana State Medical Society 150(1): 32-34
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0024-6921 PMID: 9448384 Document Number: 485382
Erectile dysfunction, which has multifactorial causes including uremia, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, vascular insufficiency, autonomic neuropathy, and psychogenic pathology, occurs in a majority of patients with end-stage renal disease. After evaluation in the Sexual Dysfunction Clinic to exclude reversible disorders that may cause erectile dysfunction, hormonal supplementation, vacuum erection devices, and a self-injection program are offered to patients. Due to concern about patient's immunocompromised status, penile prostheses have not been considered appropriate therapy for those on dialysis or for renal transplant recipients. We report our 8-year experience with penile prostheses in 12 ESRD/renal transplant patients. Eleven patients have maintained their prostheses. Three patients had prostheses with mechanical failures that required reimplantation, and one prosthesis became infected and was explanted. Penile prostheses can be successfully implanted without excessive risk of infection in patients with erectile dysfunction resulting from end-stage renal disease.