Erectile implants in female-to-male transsexuals: our experience in 129 patients

Background: The combination of a neourethra and erection prosthesis in a single neophallus in the female-to-male transsexual remains a challenge. No good data are available on this subject.

Objective: To report the outcome in 129 female-to-male transsexuals with a neophallus after the implantation of an erectile prosthesis.

Design, setting, and participants: From March 1996 until October 2007, 129 female-to-male transsexuals with a neophallus underwent the implantation of an erectile prosthesis. The mean follow-up was 30.2 mo (range: 0-132 mo).

Intervention: A Dynaflex prosthesis was implanted initially in 9 patients, a three-piece hydraulic device (AMS CX or AMS CXM) in 50 patients, and a CX Inhibizone, Ambicor, and Coloplast/Mentor prosthesis in 17, 47, and 6 patients, respectively.

Measurements: Data on outcome in these patients were retrospectively evaluated.

Results and limitations: Of 129 patients, 76 patients (58.9%) still have their original implant in place. Fifty-three patients (41.1%) needed to undergo either removal or revision of the prosthesis due to infection, erosion, dysfunction, or leak. Forty-one patients underwent a replacement of the prosthesis, nine needed a second revision, five needed a third revision, and one patient needed a fourth revision of prosthesis. Malposition of prosthesis was corrected by surgical repositioning so that removal or revision could be avoided. Of 185 prostheses used in 129 patients, 108 (58.4%) still remain in place, with a total infection rate of 11.9%, a total protrusion rate of 8.1%, a total prosthesis leak rate of 9.2%, a total dysfunction rate of 13%, and a total malposition rate of 14.6%. The period of follow-up in the more recent types of prostheses (Ambicor, Coloplast/Mentor) is much shorter; therefore, comparison with earlier types is difficult to make.

Conclusions: Despite high complication rates, implantation of a hydraulic erectile prosthesis remains the best option for achieving the possibility of sexual intercourse in female-to-male transsexuals.