27 Men Receive Bionic Penises in Public Hospitals for Erectile Dysfunction

A total of 27 men have been fitted with bionic penises in public hospitals over the past four years to treat erectile dysfunction, costing around €500,000, according to new figures.

The surgically implanted penile prostheses can be inflated manually to simulate an erection and restore sexual function for male patients.

The most common model is a three-piece inflatable penile prosthesis (3p-IPP), comprising an abdominal reservoir, a scrotal pump, and dual cylinders implanted in the penis's spongy tissue.

Eight patients received these devices in Health Service Executive (HSE) acute hospitals last year, totaling 27 procedures in the past four years. The cost is estimated to be just under €500,000 based on private clinic prices exceeding €17,500.

Patients diagnosed with 'failure of genital response' or 'impotence of organic origin' received the penile prostheses. The surgery is usually a last resort after other treatments have failed, with causes of erectile dysfunction including trauma, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and prostate removal.

A study found that 86% of patients treated in Irish hospitals between 2008 and 2017 were satisfied with the outcome, but some experienced post-operative complications requiring revision procedures due to device failure, erosion, or infection.

The 3p-IPP device, activated by a scrotal pump, is considered the 'gold standard' surgical option, transferring fluid from an abdominal reservoir to the penis to create an erection.

In 2021, 11 men underwent the procedure in acute hospitals, with a total of eight in 2022 and 2023 combined, and another eight in the previous year.

According to the source: BreakingNews.ie.