It has been 50 years after the first publication on successful placements of inflatable penile implants by Scott et al. [1]. This time point is regarded as the beginning of a new era in modern penile prosthetic surgery. Since then, much has changed in this field and it still continues to emerge. Modern surgical techniques for penile prosthesis implantation have been introduced [2]. Various surgical accesses to the cavernous bodies have been developed [3,4,5]. A variety of approaches has been described to correct residual penile curvature after penile prosthesis implantation in Peyronie’s patients, including modeling, plication or even plaque incision and grafting [6,7,8]. Moreover, penile implants are nowadays routinely placed in trans-sex patients and patients after priapism with severe fibrosis of the cavernous bodies [9, 10].
Recent research has defined appropriate antibiotic and antifungal regimens in order to reduce infections during or after penile prosthetic surgery [11]. Additional, modern penile implants are either coated by antibiotics or have hydrophilic coatings that allow the distribution of antibiotics into the tissue. These innovations have also led to reduced infection and revision rates [12].
Penile implants per se have also improved in the last 50 years. Today, the available implants are ergonomically designed, robust, durable and easy to use. They meet high quality standards and lead to increased patient and partner satisfaction [13].
It is due to the tremendous efforts of all the penile prosthetic implanters around the world that we can offer today high-quality implants and high satisfying results to our patients. Without their willingness to develop new surgical techniques and treatment regimens, presenting them at meetings all over the world and publishing their results in the international literature, we would not be at this high level.
This Special issue of the International Journal of Impotence Research (IJIR) is created in order to help beginners and also experienced penile prosthetic surgeons to get current up-to-date information from renowned leaders. It covers all aspects of this growing and aspiring field. I want to thank all the authors and working groups that contributed to this amazing and unique Special issue. Moreover, my wish is that this Special issue will stimulate new ideas and research projects in order to further improve patient care in the future.
I am happy and honored to be Guest Editor of the International Journal of Impotence Research for the second time. And it is my pleasure to present this Special issue on one of the most delicate surgical approaches in the field of Sexual Medicine and Andrology, that is penile prosthetics.
I would like to dedicate this Special issue of IJIR to my family, friends and colleagues that inspire me in my everyday practice.
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Hatzichristodoulou, G. 50th year anniversary of penile implants: an ongoing worldwide triumph. Int J Impot Res 35, 589–590 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-023-00690-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-023-00690-9
