Penile implants
A penile implant (penile prosthesis) is a well-established treatment for erectile dysfunction when tablets, injections or vacuum devices no longer help. Here is how the devices work, how surgery is carried out in Istanbul and what recovery involves.
What it is
A penile implant is a medical device placed entirely inside the body. Nothing is visible from the outside. It allows a man to have an erection whenever he chooses, for as long as he chooses, without tablets or injections.
Implants do not change sensation, orgasm or ejaculation in men who had these before surgery. They are usually considered when erectile dysfunction has not responded to other treatments, or after prostate surgery, diabetes, Peyronie's disease or pelvic injury.
A three-piece inflatable implant: two cylinders, a small pump and a fluid reservoir.
Types of implant
There are two main families of penile implant. Your surgeon will recommend one after examining you and discussing your hands' dexterity, your anatomy and what matters most to you.
Two cylinders sit inside the erection chambers of the penis. A pump is placed in the scrotum and a small reservoir of sterile saline behind the abdominal wall. Squeezing the pump moves fluid into the cylinders for an erection; a release valve returns it to the reservoir.
Two bendable rods are placed in the penis. There is no pump or reservoir: you simply position the penis upwards for intercourse and downwards afterwards.
Devices we use
We work with penile implants from four established manufacturers: Coloplast, Boston Scientific, Rigicon and Zephyr Surgical Implants (ZSI). Here are their one-piece, two-piece and three-piece models and what sets each apart. No single device suits everybody, so the choice is made with you after your examination.
Implants are grouped by how many parts they have. A three-piece inflatable has two cylinders, a pump and a separate reservoir in the lower abdomen. A two-piece inflatable combines the pump and reservoir in the scrotum. A one-piece (malleable or semi-rigid) implant is a pair of bendable rods with no pump at all.
| Manufacturer | Three-piece inflatable | Two-piece inflatable | One-piece malleable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coloplast | Titan Touch, Titan (standard, narrow base and XL cylinders) | – | Genesis |
| Boston Scientific | AMS 700 CX, CXR and LGX, with the TENACIO pump | – | Tactra |
| Rigicon | Infla10 X, Infla10 AX and Infla10 narrow cylinders | Infla2P | Rigi10 |
| Zephyr Surgical Implants | – | ZSI 475 | ZSI 100 |
Product names and features are summarised from each manufacturer's published information (checked September 2026). Ranges change over time and differ between countries; your surgeon confirms which models are available for your operation.
Coloplast · Denmark
The Titan Touch is a three-piece inflatable penile prosthesis: two cylinders in the penis, a pump in the scrotum and a fluid reservoir behind the abdominal wall. It is the implant included in our Basic and Magic Touch packages. The earlier Titan uses the same cylinders with a different pump.
One-piece option: Coloplast also makes the Genesis malleable implant for men who would prefer a device without a pump.
Coloplast Titan Touch. Image: Coloplast. Source: Coloplast product information.
Boston Scientific · USA
The AMS 700 is a family of three-piece inflatable penile prostheses that has been used for many years. It is now supplied with the TENACIO pump, and can be supplied with the cylinders and pump already connected or separate, for either a scrotal or an abdominal incision.
AMS 700 with the TENACIO pump and InhibiZone. Image: Boston Scientific. Source: Boston Scientific product information.
| Cylinder | How it expands | Often considered for |
|---|---|---|
| AMS 700 CX | Controlled girth expansion | Many first-time implants |
| AMS 700 LGX | Girth and, according to the manufacturer, up to 25% in length | Men in whom length expansion may help |
| AMS 700 CXR | Girth, in a narrower cylinder | Smaller or scarred erection chambers, some revisions |
One-piece option: Boston Scientific also makes the Tactra malleable implant for men who would prefer a device without a pump.
Read the full AMS 700 guide · Coloplast Titan vs AMS 700 compared
Rigicon is a newer manufacturer with all three designs. Its devices are distributed in Türkiye by Andromed.
Rigicon Infla10 and Rigi10. Images: Rigicon. Source: Andromed, Rigicon's distributor in Türkiye.
ZSI is a Swiss manufacturer whose devices are less widely used, but its designs can help in particular situations. ZSI does not make a three-piece implant.
Which implant is right for me? No brand or model suits every man. The choice depends on your anatomy, any previous surgery, allergies, how easily you can use a pump and what matters most to you, and it is made with your surgeon after your examination. The surgical technique and aftercare matter as much as the device. See all four brands side by side.
Infection prevention
Infection is the complication patients worry about most, because an infected implant usually has to be removed. The main source of infection is bacteria that live normally on the skin.
With the non-touch technique, described by Dr J. François Eid and colleagues, the implant is kept away from the patient's skin and from the surgeon's gloves at every stage. In their published series, combining this technique with antibiotic-coated implants was associated with an infection rate of around 0.5%1.
Every penile implant operation at Men's Health Istanbul follows this protocol, alongside intravenous antibiotics and careful skin preparation.
1. Eid JF, Wilson SK, Cleves M, Salem EA. Coated implants and "no touch" surgical technique decreases risk of infection in inflatable penile prosthesis implantation to 0.46%. Urology. 2012;79(6):1310–1315. PubMed
The skin is prepared and covered so it cannot touch the device.
After the initial incision, the whole team changes gloves and instruments.
The implant passes only through a sterile window, never across skin.
A closed irrigation system and an antibiotic-coated implant complete the protocol.
What to expect
Most patients stay in Istanbul for about six days. This is the usual sequence; your own plan is confirmed after your consultation.
Share your history and reports by WhatsApp or video call. The surgeon reviews your case.
Urological examination, blood tests and a final discussion of the implant type.
Around 45–60 minutes under general or spinal anaesthesia, then rest on the ward.
Drain and catheter removed, then a follow-up before you fly home.
Before surgery
Your doctor takes a detailed, confidential medical history, including previous operations, medicines and past treatments for erectile dysfunction, and carries out a full urological examination. There should be no active skin condition in the genital area at the time of surgery.
After surgery
| When | What usually happens |
|---|---|
| Day 1–3 | Catheter removed the next day; drain within 2–3 days. You can shower after 2–3 days. |
| Week 1 | The implant stays partly inflated. At your check-up you are taught to use the pump. |
| Weeks 1–2 | Mild pain and swelling settle. Supportive underwear for about 10 days. Stitches dissolve. |
| Weeks 4–6 | Intercourse is usually allowed once your surgeon confirms healing. |
| Week 6+ | Heavy lifting and strenuous exercise can resume. |
Risks you should know about. As with any operation, penile implant surgery carries risks. These include infection, bleeding or bruising, mechanical failure of the device over time, erosion, and a change in how the penis looks when erect. A penile implant is a permanent change: if it is removed, other treatments for erectile dysfunction are unlikely to work. Your surgeon will discuss your individual risks before you decide.
Packages
Surgery, hospital stay, hotel and transfers in one package. You receive a personalised quote after your free consultation.
Personalised quote after your free consultation
Personalised quote after your free consultation
Questions
Short answers to the questions we hear most. For anything else, message us.
We work with implants from Coloplast (Titan Touch, Titan and the Genesis malleable), Boston Scientific (AMS 700 CX, CXR and LGX, and the Tactra malleable), Rigicon (Infla10, Infla2P and Rigi10) and Zephyr Surgical Implants (ZSI 475 and ZSI 100). The device is chosen with you after your examination.
A three-piece inflatable implant has two cylinders, a pump in the scrotum and a separate reservoir in the lower abdomen, and gives the most natural soft and erect states. A two-piece implant combines the pump and reservoir in the scrotum. A one-piece (malleable) implant is a pair of bendable rods with no pump: it is simpler, but the penis always stays firm.
An inflatable implant is placed entirely inside the body. When it is deflated the penis looks and feels soft and natural, and most partners cannot tell. A malleable implant is always firm, so it is a little less discreet.
The implant does not affect the nerves responsible for sensation, orgasm or ejaculation. Men who could reach orgasm before surgery can usually do so afterwards.
Some men notice their erect penis seems shorter than it was many years ago, often because erectile dysfunction and conditions such as Peyronie's disease have already caused shortening. Your surgeon will measure carefully and explain what to expect in your case.
Modern implants are designed to last many years. Like any mechanical device they can eventually wear out, in which case the device or a component can be replaced in a revision operation.
Most patients stay about six days: tests on arrival, surgery the next day, a short hospital stay and a check-up before flying home. Follow-up continues online.
Keep reading
From The Man Cave
Editorial articles from our men's health magazine. For diagnosis and treatment, this page is the clinical guide.
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Send us your question or medical reports. A member of our English-speaking team will reply, and where appropriate your case is reviewed by the surgeon before we suggest a plan.
