FrankTalk.org

Re: How long for Revision

When the doctor say 8", GO FOR IT. THAT IS LONG ENOUGH! Cheers.

A brilliant infectious disease specialist recommend to me that after 2 implant infections that I wait a year without any implant before reimplanting. This is based on literature for other implants like knees. There are no big studies on penile implants. Antibiotics do not totally clear the body of an infection. The body naturally clears the rest of the infection long after the antibiotics are stopped.

I actually waited 10 months with no implant which, of course, meant I lost a lot of size during that time. I used a peripro vacuum penile extender to try to preserve length. I only lost 1 cm in length during the 10 months, but I lost a lot of girth going from 18 mm cylinders to 14 mm cylinders. But at three weeks postop I do not have a postop infection.

There are no published studies on how long to wait before replacing an infected implant. Due to small sample sizes, we are stuck with anecdotal reports ("in my experience") and single case reports. We do know that after an infection (say of a knee prosthesis) that the antibiotic removes much of the infection, say over a month or so. But the body on its own then cleans out the rest over a year or so.

I waited three months after my first infection for a replacement of a temporary semirigid device. The second implant became immediately infected. In my case then, 3 months was not long enough. My third inflatable prosthesis was placed 10 months after removal of the infected second implant and after going without any implant for 10 months. I am now 4 weeks postop with no sign of infection (whew). So for me 3 months was not long enough, and 10 months appears to be so far ok. But I lost a lot of penile volume. For me the choice was small but functional or no function at all. If you decide to go without any implant consider using a peripro penile extender, shoulder strap version, to try to preserve penile length. I found all extenders to be very uncomfortable, except for this one. I did not try VAC devices. This is just a single case report; hope it is helpful.

I never had an infection on my first implant which lasted fifteen years. What happened was that the pump failed. The small ball just stayed collapsed and just stopped working, but no infection caused it. I guess you could say mechanical part broke. So I had a revision about 1.5 years ago. Love it (except) I do not like the MS pump. Sometimes it gets stuck in the open position. Eventually it will re-seat itself by pressing the release button several times. I do not like that.

pianoman1349 wrote:There are no published studies on how long to wait before replacing an infected implant. Due to small sample sizes, we are stuck with anecdotal reports ("in my experience") and single case reports. We do know that after an infection (say of a knee prosthesis) that the antibiotic removes much of the infection, say over a month or so. But the body on its own then cleans out the rest over a year or so.

I waited three months after my first infection for a replacement of a temporary semirigid device. The second implant became immediately infected. In my case then, 3 months was not long enough. My third inflatable prosthesis was placed 10 months after removal of the infected second implant and after going without any implant for 10 months. I am now 4 weeks postop with no sign of infection (whew). So for me 3 months was not long enough, and 10 months appears to be so far ok. But I lost a lot of penile volume. For me the choice was small but functional or no function at all. If you decide to go without any implant consider using a peripro penile extender, shoulder strap version, to try to preserve penile length. I found all extenders to be very uncomfortable, except for this one. I did not try VAC devices. This is just a single case report; hope it is helpful.

Thanks for your responses. They are very helpful and give me hope!