Life span of implants

The final frontier. Deciding when, if and how.
TANGERINE
Posts: 843
Joined: Wed Feb 15, 2017 11:10 pm

Re: Life span of implants

Postby TANGERINE » Thu Aug 10, 2017 9:01 pm

I have done a little more research on this topic, I know most of you have seen the urologicalcare.com web site where there are answers to almost all of our questions.

Here is the official answer regarding life expectancy from Dr Eid as published on that web site: (his statement does seem to match the medical literature and tables presented above, and his statement suggest that AMS and coloplast have similar life expectancy):

Dr Eid states:
Life expectancy of penile implants varies from 5 to 20 years and based on past historical data and current available improved implants. I estimate that an implant placed today will most likely last 10 to 15 years. Several patients in my practice have a working penile implant for more than 20 years. Like any other mechanical device, the penile implant is subject to wear and tear and the more it is used the sooner it will breakdown. Average use of a penile implant is considered to be one to two times per week. Patients with larger cylinders require more squeezes of the pump to obtain an erection which can decrease the life expectancy of the pump and tubing connecting the penile pump to the implant cylinders.

When the penile implants fail they are easily replaced and because the space in the shaft of the penis is already shaped around the cylinders, post-operative pain and discomfort of replacement surgery is much less than for the original surgery. Replacement penile implant surgery is slightly more difficult and time consuming compared to the initial surgery and carries with it a greater risk of infection. For this reason, it is recommended that replacement surgery is performed by a penile implant specialist rather than a general urologist. The initial penile implant is in the majority of cases the easiest surgery.

There is no appreciable difference between the life expectancies of the different manufacturers. The AMS silicone cylinders are more fragile than the Bioflex Coloplast cylinders and are the most likely cause of failure of this brand of implant. Failure occurs because of repeated bending of the deflated cylinders at the location of folds and not at the point where the cylinders are connected to the non-inflatable proximal portion. The Coloplast tubing that connects the cylinders to the pump is the Achilles heel of this penile device brand. The tubing is outsourced and not manufactured in-house, is not as good as the AMS tubing and is prone to fracture after 10 to 15 years of use.

Penile pump malfunction is rare. Both AMS MS (momentary squeeze) pump and the Coloplast “Touch” pump are extremely reliable and on rare occasion, the pumps will jam in the deflation mode and will require a very, very forceful squeeze to activate the device. This has occurred more often with the Coloplast pump than with the AMS pump. The reservoirs almost never fail. The Coloplast reservoir has a built-in lockout valve which prevents backflow into the cylinders preventing auto inflation.

Both brands of IPPs have their advantages and disadvantages. It is likely that perfection will never be achieved and also likely that improvements will continue to occur.


Source of the above quote: https://www.urologicalcare.com/penile-implants-prosthesis/life-expectancy-of-penile-implants/
"Strive to find the best surgeon--experience really matters"
(63 yo, Titan 22cm implant Feb 2017 by Dr Eid) I'm super pleased with my length/girth/implant performance. See my story at "The road to becoming a bionic male: Answers ..."

IJN1324
Posts: 94
Joined: Tue Apr 18, 2017 1:24 am

Re: Life span of implants

Postby IJN1324 » Fri Aug 11, 2017 10:41 am

I'm not focusing on my implant failing (God forbid), I'm just enjoying the check out of it
700 LGX 21+2 Kramer 4.12.17

pumpitup
Posts: 33
Joined: Mon Sep 25, 2017 11:37 pm

Re: Life span of implants

Postby pumpitup » Thu Sep 28, 2017 12:14 am

My AMS 700 lasted 24 years
AMS 700cx (18cm) implanted 1993,failed Aug 2017, Surgeon Professor Peter Heathcoat, Brisbane. Revision done on 16-10-17 with Titan (22+1) Surgeon A/Professor Eric Chung, Brisbane. I live on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. Borne 1951.

indy38
Posts: 22
Joined: Sun Aug 13, 2017 11:26 am

Re: Life span of implants

Postby indy38 » Thu Sep 28, 2017 3:07 am

pumpitup wrote:My AMS 700 lasted 24 years


Wow, how often did you use it? Which model, CX or Lgx?

lowrider
Posts: 22
Joined: Thu Aug 24, 2017 6:11 pm

Re: Life span of implants

Postby lowrider » Thu Sep 28, 2017 10:22 am

Just wondering, when an implant fails, does it have to be removed? Say you are no longer interested in getting another one.
67 yrs old. I have been a Viagra user for at least a dozen yrs or so; have been increasing dosage the last few yrs and only experienced diminishing results.

Larry10625

Re: Life span of implants

Postby Larry10625 » Thu Sep 28, 2017 10:58 am

lowrider wrote:Just wondering, when an implant fails, does it have to be removed? Say you are no longer interested in getting another one.



That is probable but you will NEVER get an erection ever again no matter what you do except get another implant or wrap it in several rolls of duct tape :) Depending on what failed it could be a real quick and easy fix... for instance, if the pump fails, they don't need to touch the cylinders or reservoir, which will be quick and a lot less painful, if any.

Larry

David_R
Posts: 2145
Joined: Mon Nov 02, 2015 1:03 pm

Re: Life span of implants

Postby David_R » Thu Sep 28, 2017 11:12 pm

pumpitup wrote:My AMS 700 lasted 24 years

Wow! And I thought my LGX that lasted for 12 years was a long time! Congrats, brother!


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