Intra-peritoneal versus retropubic implantation of three-piece inflatable penile prosthesis: Patient-reported outcomes and complications

Introduction: The role of reservoir position was investigated in this series of patients treated with three-pieces penile prosthesis implantation (PPI). The outcomes and the patients' reported quality of life after insertion of the balloon in the retropubic space, or the Retzius's space (SOR), were compared with the outcomes of patients who received an intraperitoneal implantation (IP). The study aimed to analyze how the anatomy of the SOR influenced the long-term results of PPI, especially in patients who have been previously exposed to pelvic surgery or radiotherapy. The SOR has usually been identified as ideal for concealing and protecting the reservoir; nevertheless, an increasing rate of patients that ask for a PPI do not conserve the typical favorable characteristic of the SOR. In these cases, the tissue alteration can cause a higher rate of undesired events and can impair the satisfaction from device use. In the recent literature, few articles focus on the topic of reservoir position and very poor information is available about the results of the IP insertion.

Materials: Our cohort of patients was retrospectively inspected; the two different subgroups, according to the reservoir position (SOR or IP) were evaluated considering the pre-operative condition, the post-operative complication, the development of undesired events or uncomfortable sensations during the follow-up. The quality of life after PPI was observed as well, with a questionnaire specifically developed for patients treated with PPI. The surgical technique adopted for the intraperitoneal implantation was described.

Results: The results of penile prosthesis functionality and patients' and partners' reported quality of life (QoL) showed similar results between the two groups but greater satisfaction in the relational domain of the questionnaires adopted was described in the IP subgroup.

Conclusion: According to our observations, the IP reservoir insertion guarantees good functionality and lower rates of undesired events after PPI.