Specific conditions
Penile implant and Peyronie’s disease
When curvature and erectile dysfunction occur together, an implant can address both — with specific caveats about length.
6 minute read
- Written by
- Istanbul Penile Implant Centre editorial team
- Medically reviewed by
- Prof. Dr. Bülent AlıcıMD, Professor of Urology and Andrology
- Published
- Last updated
Peyronie’s disease is the formation of fibrous scar tissue in the wall of the erectile bodies, causing curvature, sometimes pain, and often erectile dysfunction. Where curvature and erectile dysfunction occur together and non-surgical treatment has not helped, implant surgery can address both in one operation.
When an implant is considered
- The disease is stable rather than actively progressing, and pain has settled.
- There is significant erectile dysfunction as well as curvature.
- Non-surgical treatment has been tried or is not appropriate.
- Curvature prevents intercourse.
Where erectile function is preserved and only curvature is the problem, procedures that correct curvature without an implant are the usual approach. An implant is not the default answer to curvature alone.
How curvature is addressed during implant surgery
Placing the cylinders often straightens the penis to a useful degree on its own. Where residual curvature remains, additional manoeuvres can be performed at the same operation — modelling of the penis over the inflated device, or incision of the scar plaque with grafting where needed. Which of these applies is decided intraoperatively, based on what the curvature does once the device is in place.
Length expectations
This deserves particular emphasis. Peyronie’s disease itself shortens the penis, and the shortening is usually already present before surgery. Implant surgery does not reverse it. Men with Peyronie’s disease are among the most likely to perceive shortening afterwards, which makes an explicit pre-surgical conversation about length — ideally with a documented measurement — more important here than in any other group.
What is different about the surgery
- Scarred, fibrotic erectile bodies are harder to dilate, and reduced-diameter cylinders are sometimes needed.
- The operation takes longer and may involve additional steps, which is why these cases are quoted individually.
- Recovery can be slower, and the timeline to activation more cautious.