While there are many therapy-based treatments for erectile dysfunction, some patients do not respond to pharmacological therapy such as Cialis or Viagra and surgical treatment provides the only option.
There are two broad categories of surgeries for erectile dysfunction. The first is vascular surgery, which aims to increase blood inflow to or reduce blood outflow from the penis. The second is penile prosthesis surgery which offers a final and permanent solution to erectile dysfunction irrespective of the underlying causes.
Vascular surgery
This type of surgery is only appropriate for select cases with very specific diagnosed symptoms.
Venoligation or Sclerotherapy
This type of operation decreases the blood outflow from the penis during erections and it is only appropriate for young men with lifelong chronic erectile dysfunction and abnormal ultrasound parameters suggestive of a specific venous leak (increased End Diastolic Velocity). In such cases and before considering an implant, the specialist may recommend to ligate or embolise the deep dorsal vein or a particular abnormal vein demonstrated through cavernosography.
Penile Revascularisation
This type of operation aims to increase the blood inflow to the penis by increasing the level of vascularization. Appropriate candidates for this operation are diagnosed as suffering lifelong ED and abnormal ultrasound parameters (decreased Peak Systolic Velocity) and localised stenosis, which has been established through an arteriography by your specialist.
Penile Prosthesis Surgery
Penile prosthesis surgery involves replacing the damaged natural erection mechanism (Corpora Cavernosa)with a mechanical device, the penile prosthesis, that in effect allows the patient to induce erections on demand.
We have a dedicated section with extensive information on penile prosthesis – please click here for more information.
