CLINICAL-EXPERIENCE WITH THE MENTOR INFLATABLE PENILE PROSTHESIS IN 301 PATIENTS

The Mentor inflatable penile prosthesis* has been implanted in 301 patients during the last 60 months, of whom 3 died of unrelated causes and 13 have been lost to followup. Of the remaining 285 patients 96.8 per cent are presently using the device. A life table analysis of 253 implantations performed since 1983 shows that 97 per cent of the prostheses presently being implanted will survive 48 months without mechanical failure. There have been no wear-induced leaks or aneurysms in the 602 cylinders implanted. Complications that resulted in permanent device loss or necessitated a second operation were owing to mechanical problems in 3 per cent, infection in 2.3 per cent and surgeon error in 1.7 per cent of the cases. This clinical study demonstrates the 5-year reliability of cylinders constructed from polyurethane, the reliability of the Mentor snap-on connector system and the increased durability of nylon-reinforced silicone tubing.