The prosthesis salvage operation: Immediate replacement of the infected penile prosthesis

Purpose: We describe our experience with salvage of the infected penile prosthesis at initial presentation in 11 patients. Materials and Methods: All patients with prosthesis infection who presented since 1991 were considered for salvage surgery. Contraindications to a salvage operation included necrotic infections, diabetic patients with purulence in the corporeal bodies, rapidly developing infections and erosion of the device cylinders. Results: In 1 patient in this group a salvage attempt was repeated after re-infection, for an overall success rate of 91%. Mean followup for the group was 21 months (range 9 to 42). Staphylococcus epidermidis was the infecting organism in 75% of our patients. Conclusions: Our experience demonstrates the safety and advantages of the immediate salvage technique.