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Infrapubic approach for placement of inflatable penile prosthesis: contemporary review of technique and implications

Abstract

Inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) is an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction refractory to nonsurgical management. The infrapubic approach for IPP placement is less frequently employed than the penoscrotal approach, with only about 25% of IPPs placed via this method. Underutilization of the infrapubic method may be due to fear of injuring the penile dorsal neurovascular bundle, perceived difficulties of scrotal pump placement through a distant location, or insufficient distal corporal exposure. However, this approach appears to result in favorable operative times, faster time to device activation, equivalent postoperative satisfaction and quality of life, and similar complication rates. We provide a contemporary review of literature published before May 2019 regarding the infrapubic approach for IPP placement, technical considerations, and postoperative expectations.

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RJ acquired data and wrote the paper. SE and JNM assisted with paper design and revision. All authors approved the final version.

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Correspondence to Jesse N. Mills.

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RJ and SVE declare no potential conflicts of interest. JNM serves as a consultant and proctor for Boston Scientific.

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Jayadevan, R., Eleswarapu, S.V. & Mills, J.N. Infrapubic approach for placement of inflatable penile prosthesis: contemporary review of technique and implications. Int J Impot Res 32, 10–17 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-019-0193-0

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