For years, erectile dysfunction has remained a taboo topic for men. Yet behind impotence lie real suffering and broken relationships, delayed doctor visits due to shame, the end of sexual life, and lost self-esteem. According to the World Health Organization, approximately one in two men between the ages of 40 and 65 experiences some degree of erectile problems.
Impotence may be functional, stemming from anxiety, depression, or relationship stress. Or organic, caused by atherosclerotic narrowing of blood vessels, which disrupts penile blood supply. Brain or spinal cord trauma, stroke, spinal stenosis, testosterone deficiency, as well as alcohol and drug use, are also frequent causes.
The treatment of erectile dysfunction largely depends on diagnosis. For example, when caused by atherosclerosis, treatment includes lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise, along with medications to lower cholesterol and blood pressure. To treat symptoms and help achieve and maintain an erection, drugs such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and vardenafil (Levitra) are prescribed.
If medical therapy fails, modern surgery offers a solution that restores not only physiology but also improves quality of life. For the first time in Georgia, an operation was performed that seems almost out of science fiction: a special device implanted inside the penis that allows the patient to control their own erection.
At the intersection of bioengineering and medicine, a technology was born that is now used by hundreds of thousands of men worldwide. Three-component penile prosthesis implantation is now available in the country of Georgia.
The surgery was performed by surgeon Shota Bugianishvili, the first in the country to introduce this implant technology.
“In Georgia, penile surgeries with silicone implants have been performed before, but the new three-component system is much more convenient and produces more natural results,” says Shota Bugianishvili.
The procedure lasts about two hours and is performed through open surgery. During the operation, two cylinders are placed inside the penis. A reservoir of saline solution is positioned behind the pubic bone, while a special pump is placed in the scrotum. By pressing the pump, the patient can inflate the implant and achieve an erection. “The size of the penis remains unchanged after surgery, and surgical marks are often invisible,” notes Shota Bugianishvili.
Who may be a candidate for surgical treatment of erectile dysfunction?
Standard treatment begins with medical therapy. If unsuccessful, injections or surgical intervention are considered. Only then is penile prosthesis surgery evaluated, regarded as the most advanced method, offering stable and effective results. Surgery is considered if erectile dysfunction is not caused by psychological problems but has an organic basis.
“The most important factor is proper patient selection, considering age, overall health, and the underlying cause of impotence,” emphasizes the surgeon.
Most patients are discharged the day after surgery. Sexual activity is prohibited for about one month, after which patients gradually start using the implant.
According to the surgeon, the most serious risk is postoperative infection, which may require removal of the implant. This is why thorough preoperative evaluation and patient preparation play a decisive role.
Sexual function after surgery
It is important to note that a penile implant does not limit the possibility of orgasm. If the patient was able to have orgasms before surgery, this ability is usually preserved after implantation. Pleasure at the glans and nerve endings remains unchanged, while orgasm intensity may temporarily vary during the adaptation period.
Implant use is significant for patients who have undergone radical prostatectomy. In such cases, prosthesis implantation enables the restoration of sexual activity.
Three-component penile prostheses have been used in the U.S. and Europe for many years with impressive results. Their introduction in Georgia is a significant step, allowing patients access to treatment that meets international standards.
“This surgery marks a new stage in our country—patients now have access to the same high-tech methods used in the world’s leading clinics,” says Shota Bugianishvili.
Penile prosthetic balloon implantation in Georgia is not only a surgical innovation but also a real opportunity to restore sexual function and quality of life, especially for patients for whom other treatments have failed.
