What is an artificial cavernous implant? Artificial cavernous implants (also known as cavernous prosthesis implants or penile prosthesis implants) have been in use for over 40 years since the world’s first expandable cavernous implant was performed in 1973. The current widely used cavernous prosthesis is designed with the following factors in mind: adequate stiffness, flexibility, extension and flexion, and concealment. As the procedure continues to be performed, the surgeon’s surgical skills continue to improve, and the incidence of postoperative complications decreases significantly, more and more patients are requesting this procedure. In the United States, more than 30,000 patients a year are treated for erectile dysfunction with an implant. Please see the video for more information: http://pan.baidu.com/s/1c00L1eg Who is it for? The artificial cavernous implant is indicated for patients with erectile dysfunction for whom medication, vacuum pressure devices and cavernous drug injections have failed. Specific cases may include: 1. vascular erectile dysfunction caused by atherosclerosis; 2. erectile dysfunction caused by neurological, vascular and endocrine malfunction after diabetes; 3. erectile dysfunction caused by trauma or surgery, such as pelvic fracture, spinal fracture and prostate surgery; 4. erectile dysfunction caused by congenital or secondary genital diseases; 5. refractory psychological erectile If other conservative treatments are ineffective and the couple is determined to have surgery, artificial cavernous implantation can also be considered. What are the advantages and disadvantages of artificial cavernous implantation? Advantages: The whole process is very similar to the natural physiological process and the female partner feels the same as the real male organ, resulting in real sexual satisfaction. The advantage is that it has the highest satisfaction rate of all treatments for erectile dysfunction and provides predictable and reliable results. Of all the methods currently available for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, prosthetic implants have the highest satisfaction rate, significantly higher than patients who use drugs and vacuum negative pressure devices to maintain an erection. Foreign statistics report that 90% of patients and 80% of sexual partners are satisfied with the results of artificial cavernous bodies. Disadvantages: not physiological erection, stimulated by the user through a concealed pump, but does not affect, and can even restore, sexual pleasure and orgasm; in a weak state of the penis, the patient can vaguely touch the non-filled artificial cavernous body; there are certain mechanical complications, such as damage to the artificial cavernous body water bladder or pump; and surgical complications, such as infection, erosion, and post-surgical pain (incidence of about 5%). Why have I not heard of this treatment in the hospitals I have visited before? Artificial cavernous implantation is a demanding procedure that many hospitals are not equipped to perform; therefore, in the vast majority of cases, doctors have recommended only some of the simple treatments suggested by erectile dysfunction guidelines and have not been informed of the surgical treatment. In the United States, artificial cavernous implantation has become the standard of care for patients with erectile dysfunction who have failed conservative treatment, with approximately more than 30,000 patients undergoing the procedure each year. In China, the procedure is relatively expensive for the Chinese population as it is not covered by health insurance, and approximately 300 patients undergo the procedure each year, but the number is increasing every year. What is the basic procedure of the surgery? The procedure is performed 1-2 days before the surgery in the hospital; the procedure takes 2-3 hours; the patient is discharged from the hospital 5-7 days after the procedure; and intercourse can be resumed 6-8 weeks after the procedure. What is the cost of the surgery? Domestic artificial spongy implantation is about 80,000 RMB; imported artificial spongy implantation is more than 100,000 RMB. I not only want to regain erectile function, but also want to have normal sexual pleasure and orgasm like other normal men, is it possible to have this surgery? Erection and orgasm are combined in the whole process of sexual activity, but they are actually two different processes with separate nerves involved in their activities. Therefore, even if erectile dysfunction is caused by various reasons, as long as the sexual desire is normal and the skin sensation of the penile head is normal, once erection can be restored (e.g. through artificial cavernous implantation), one can still have sexual pleasure and orgasm; therefore, this procedure is ideal for patients who have normal sexual desire and normal sensation of the penile head, but suffer from erectile dysfunction. What does the patient feel when performing sexual activity? What is it like for the spouse? In the early stages of sexual activity after artificial cavernous implantation, the patient may feel slightly different than before, because the implanted cavernous body is different from the one the patient had. The spouse generally does not feel that the patient has had an artificial spongy implant and the woman feels the same as the real male organ, thus achieving real sexual satisfaction. What are the risks? There are risks associated with any surgery and the most relevant risks associated with implantation are: infection, perforation and erosion of the artificial corpus cavernosum. If such cases occur, it often means that the implant needs to be removed. The probability of complications is related to the surgical operation, the patient’s physical condition (e.g. diabetes, perineal infection, urinary tract infection, trauma). In general, the probability of complications 5 years after surgery is less than 5%. How long can it be used? It is difficult to judge the specific use time for each case, at present, the 5-year normal use rate of imported prosthesis is basically above 90%, and the normal use rate of domestic prosthesis is lower than that of imported prosthesis.