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Also known as
Furlow Insertion Tool, Furlow Passer, Furlow Disposable Insertion Tool, Furlow Implantation Device, Keith Needle Passer, Penile Prosthesis Inserter
Definition
The Furlow Inserter is a specialized surgical instrument designed for the placement of penile prosthesis cylinders during implantation procedures.1 This precision tool facilitates the accurate insertion and positioning of inflatable or malleable penile prosthesis components within the corporal bodies.2 It consists of a long, slender shaft with measurement markings, an ergonomic handle, and a specialized needle mechanism that enables controlled passage through corporal tissue.3 The device serves dual functions: as both an insertion tool and as a measurement instrument for sizing during penile prosthesis implantation procedures.4 Modern versions include both reusable stainless steel models and single-use disposable variants designed to reduce infection risk.5
Clinical Context
The Furlow Inserter is primarily used during surgical procedures for the treatment of erectile dysfunction that is unresponsive to pharmacological interventions.1 It plays a critical role in the implantation of both inflatable and malleable penile prostheses, which are considered the gold standard treatment for medication-refractory erectile dysfunction.2
The device is utilized by urologists and surgeons specializing in prosthetic urology to create a passage through the corporal bodies for accurate placement of prosthetic cylinders.3 During the procedure, after corporal dilation, the surgeon uses the Furlow Inserter to guide a Keith needle attached to the prosthesis cylinder through the distal corpus cavernosum, allowing for proper positioning of the implant.4
Patient selection criteria for procedures involving the Furlow Inserter include men with erectile dysfunction who have failed or are unsuitable for less invasive treatments, including those with Peyronie’s disease requiring straightening procedures, post-priapism erectile dysfunction, and revision cases after previous implant failure.5
Recent clinical studies have highlighted infection concerns with reusable Furlow Inserters, with research showing that inadequate cleaning and sterilization may contribute to prosthesis infections.2 This has led to the development of disposable versions designed to eliminate this risk factor, as the average cost of treating an infected penile prosthesis is approximately $35,000.3