Prostate answers

The penile prosthesis like the artificial urinary sphincter is another device that assists men in recovery after undergoing treatment for prostate cancer.Internal Penile PumpTM
Today, 250,000 men are the secret keepers of what is called the Internal Penile Pump-a manual device surgically implanted in the penis and scrotal sac, used to create erections. The IPP, one example of a penile implant or prosthesis, is a soft saline-filled device that can expand and contract without losing its elasticity. It consists of three small components: very thin tubes, a pump, and a reservoir. The reservoir contains the saline, which is transferred into the penis by a gentle squeeze of the scrotal sac where the pump is housed, causing the tubes in the penis to fill and become rigid.
The IPP has some excellent advantages over oral and injectable medications and its surgical predecessors. First, there are no drug side effects. Second, the entire IPP can be placed through a 2 to 3 centimeter opening in the scrotal skin in under an hour, unlike previous surgeries that required much larger openings and far more painful recoveries. Third, the IPP is entirely invisible in both the flaccid and hard penis. And last, but certainly not least, the IPP does not interfere with normal sensation or ejaculation. And a man is able to have a full erection at any time -- without planning ahead, as is necessary with other treatments.
Good candidatesThe Internal Penile Pump is an excellent alternative for men who do not respond to Viagra. For most men, it represents a cure. Excellent candidates are men between the ages of 50 and 90 years old and are sexually motivated and active; men who have had prostate, bladder, or colon cancer treatment, and who have penile deformity and/or atrophy (shrinkage).

More later

gbr

I would like to describe the ams artificial urinary sphincter.
This is a device I have placed in patients suffering from incontinence after treatment for prostate cancer.
As you can see above, I have included a picture of the device. The pump is in the scrotum of the patient. It is manipulated to allow the cuff to empty or refill depending on what the desired outcome.

The sphincter is an excellent solution for patients suffering from clearcut stress urinary incontinence.
See another blog for the difference between stress incontinence and other types.

Potential pitfalls of the device include:

a. infection
b. device failure
c. continued incontinence despite surgery
d. potential of removing device at later date
e. anesthesia and surgical outcome complications like leg blood clots, heart attack, pneumonia.

I will include more of my personal photos in future edits.

gbr

The greenlight laser is a revolutionary product provided by Laserscope. In my hands here in Florida, it has essentially replaced the turp. Turp is the old fashioned resection. The greenlight laser provides a fast, efficacious removal of internal prostate tissue with less bleeding, less catheter dwell time, and quicker recovery for my patients.

I have experienced very good results with the use of this laser, and I have many happy patients thanks to this advanced technology.

My first blog regarding prostate cancer care and treatment will revolve around a case that I was personally involved with while doing fellowship level training at Sloan Kettering Memorial Cancer Hospital in Manhattan.

I was taking care of a patient for the head of the department. He had a radical prostatectomy five days prior. I will change some information to hide identities here, but the basic details are accurate. The patient was related to a very important person on staff at Sloan. He was to be discharged on day three. Unfortunately, he stayed in the hospital six weeks or so after surgery.

During the closure of his wound, a junior resident apparently hit a piece of bowel. This resulted in the need for iv nutrition during the next six weeks. The patient happened to be a doctor also and this was devestating to his practice.

The take home message here: surgery is never to be taken lightly. Even if it is the reportedly best surgeon in the world, it is never to be taken lightly.

Hi,

I am a urologist in Florida. I promised a very nice patient of mine last week that I would start a website devoted to the care of prostate cancer. This patient was diagnosed with an agressive prostate cancer which results in a confusing scenario for the patient and family. I would like to provide straightforward information, links, and highlights of the various gray areas that exist in the diagnosis and management of prostate cancer here at the prostate answers blogspot.

So, welcome to my blog. I hope it is helpful for you.

br