MENTOR ALPHA-1 INFLATABLE PENILE PROSTHESIS - PATIENT SATISFACTION AND DEVICE RELIABILITY

Objective. This report describes a study of patient satisfaction and device reliability in 50 organically impotent males who were implanted with a Mentor Alpha 1 inflatable penile prosthesis. Method. Data were obtained from review of medical records, and patient-completed structured questionnaires. Results. The average patient age was fifty-nine years (range: 25 to 90 years). Thirty-one patients (62%) had underlying medical conditions, and all tried at least one other treatment prior to implantation. All patients received perioperative prophylactic antibiotics, and all were drained with a closed suction drain for twenty-four hours. Follow-up ranged from two to forty-one months (av. 15 mos). Complications occurred in 2 patients (4%), including 1 periprosthetic infection and 1 intraoperative cylinder aneurysm. An average of one office visit was required for teaching inflation/deflation. Ninety-eight percent of the patients and 96 percent of their partners were satisfied with the device. Ninety-four percent and 96 percent thought the device was easy to inflate and deflate, respectively. Two patients (4%) reported partial cylinder inflation related to physical activity. All were satisfied with the girth and rigidity, but only 92 percent were satisfied with the length. Ninety-eight percent said they would undergo the procedure again and would recommend this implant to other impotent patients. Conclusions. These data indicate that the Mentor Alpha 1 device has good short-term mechanical reliability, and yields a high level of patient and partner satisfaction.