Inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) placements are considered the gold-standard treatment for erectile dysfunction when conservative measures have failed. However, complications from IPP placements pose significant physical and financial burdens for both patients and healthcare systems. This study aimed to provide an updated understanding of IPP complications by examining trends and patient characteristics at a population level, thus aiding in comprehensive and evidence-based surgical planning. A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted using data from the Texas Inpatient Public Use Data File, covering the years 2016 to 2022. Hospitalizations involving IPP complications were identified using specific ICD-10 codes. Patient characteristics, including age, race, and common comorbidities, were summarized, and trends in complications were analyzed using negative binomial regression to calculate annual percentage change (APC) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).
The study identified 750 hospitalizations involving at least one IPP complication. Most patients with complications were older adults (69.1% aged 65 or older) and white (53.1%), with common comorbidities such as diabetes (54.0%), renal disease (27.6%), and congestive heart failure (17.9%). Infection was the most common complication (70.5%), followed by mechanical issues (20.0%), breakdown (9.6%), and displacement (9.6%). Overall, hospitalizations for IPP complications showed an increasing trend, with an APC of 10.9 (95% CI 2.6 – 19.9). Although trends in individual complication categories were statistically insignificant, the overall increase highlights a growing issue. This research suggests that clinicians should carefully assess patient risk factors prior to IPP surgery, optimizing health to improve outcomes. These findings underscore the need for rigorous evaluation of current IPP placement protocols to mitigate risks and enhance patient outcomes within evidence-based medicine.
