ABSTRACT
Development of newer synthetic materials in the 1950s and 1960s propelled the advancement of prosthetic devices in the treatment of a variety of medical conditions, including ED. Early reports by Goodwin et al. in 1952 suggested that synthetic materials could produce satisfactory results when implanted into the penis for ED. 3 The era of modern penile prosthetic devices began with the development of siliconebased prosthetic materials in the late 1960s as a result of the space program. 4 In 1968, Lash et al. reported on 28 patients using single silicone prosthetic devices with good results, 5 and in 1972 Pearman designed a single silicone silastic prosthetic rod placed beneath Buck ’ s fascia in 126 patients ( Figure 45.1 ). 6 Although these devices increased the success of penile prosthesis implantation, their placement beneath Buck ’ s fascia provided little stability, significant discomfort, and a nonphysiological penile shape. Extrusion rates were also high with these initial attempts at penile prosthesis design.
