The Phantom Technique: A Breakthrough Infrapubic Approach in Penile Prosthesis Surgery

The Phantom Technique—also called the Ghost Technique—is a patient-friendly name for using a small infrapubic incision (in the lower abdomen near the pubic hairline) to place a penile prosthesis. Some patients prefer an incision away from the scrotum; others are comfortable with a penoscrotal incision. Both infrapubic and penoscrotal routes are well established in prosthetic urology; your surgeon will recommend the route that best fits your anatomy, medical history, and goals.

• Discreet incision location – Near the pubic hairline for concealment.
• Established surgical route – An alternative to the penoscrotal approach.
• Shared decision-making – Route selection is individualized.
• Focus on safety and outcomes – Surgeon training and patient factors guide the choice.

• Incision planned for discretion near the pubic hairline.
• Patients vary in scar visibility depending on skin type and healing.
• Discuss expectations and hairline pattern with your surgeon.

• Recovery is personalized; your surgeon will set expectations for pain control, wound care, and training.
• Return to activities and intimacy is guided by your individual plan.

• Provides infrapubic exposure with direct access for reservoir management.
• Pump positioning and corporal work follow established steps.

• Surgeon experience and training with each route.
• Patient anatomy and prior scrotal or pelvic surgery.
• Shared preference after counseling on risks/benefits.

Infla10^® Pulse^™ DIPP (Dynamic Inflatable Penile Prosthesis) is designed to integrate with established surgical workflows, including infrapubic (Phantom) placement. Specifications and availability may vary by market; your surgeon will advise whether a specific configuration is suitable for you.

• Dynamic inflatable design intended to support a natural experience when activated and a natural appearance when deflated.
• Ergonomic pump handling intended to make operation and deflation intuitive.
• Multi-layer cylinder architecture for strength and shape stability.
• 46 mm girth expansion capability – world’s largest cylinder expansion in penile prosthesis (per Rigicon specifications).

Three Available Models:

• Infla10^® Pulse^™ X – Girth expansion focus
• Infla10^® Pulse^™ AX – Girth and length expansion
• Infla10^® Pulse^™ – Designed for narrow or fibrotic corpora

Infrapubic and penoscrotal approaches are both established. Evidence and preferences vary by surgeon training and patient factors; many patients do well with either route. Discuss the latest data and your individual risks/benefits with your urologist.

• No single universal “best” route – outcomes depend on anatomy, history, and expertise.
• Infection-prevention strategies and peri-operative protocols remain critical regardless of route.
• Device selection and sizing are individualized.

The Phantom (infrapubic) route may be discussed with a surgeon by:

• Men with erectile dysfunction who, with their clinician, have decided that an implant is appropriate.
• Patients who prefer a discreet incision near the pubic hairline.
• Individuals with prior scrotal or pelvic surgery, where an infrapubic route may be considered.
• Anyone seeking to understand all reasonable options before consenting to surgery.

• Pre-operative planning and antibiotic protocols per surgeon and hospital guidelines
• Small infrapubic incision near the pubic hairline to access the operative field
• Corporal work and cylinder placement tailored to patient anatomy
• Reservoir management under direct vision as indicated
• Pump positioning and function checks
• Layered closure and dressing

• Personalized recovery plan covering pain control, wound care, and device training
• Follow-up visits to assess healing and provide operating instructions

This combination aligns a patient-preferred incision location (for some) with an implant designed to fit established workflows. Final decisions should be individualized.

Patient Considerations:

• Discreet incision near the pubic hairline
• Balanced counseling on risks, benefits, and alternatives
• Device options matched to anatomy and goals

Surgeon Considerations:

• Route selection based on training and patient factors
• Standardized steps for exposure, reservoir management, and pump positioning
• Post-op protocols for infection prevention and device education

The term “Phantom Technique” (also “Ghost Technique”) was introduced and popularized by Dr Mohammad Hamdan (Jordan), helping patients and clinicians discuss the infrapubic route more easily. Both infrapubic and penoscrotal approaches are used internationally; your surgeon will recommend the approach that best suits you.

• Talk to us, then talk to your surgeon – Use the RigiAI Patient Guide to learn key terms privately.
• Patient Counsellor – Get help preparing questions and planning recovery.
• Find a Specialist – Choose a surgeon who routinely performs penile prosthesis surgery and is comfortable with the route recommended for you.
• Follow postoperative instructions – Proper care and training support outcomes.

Q: Is one approach “better”?
A: Not universally. Surgeons weigh training, anatomy, and medical history. Many patients do well with either infrapubic or penoscrotal routes.

Q: Will there be a visible scar?
A: Incisions are planned for discretion, but scar visibility varies by healing, skin type, and hair pattern. Discuss expectations with your surgeon.

Q: Does the Phantom Technique require a specific implant?
A: Infla10^® Pulse^™ DIPP is Rigicon’s latest generation inflatable design intended to integrate with established workflows, including phantom technique placement. Your surgeon will advise if it suits you.

Q: How long is recovery?
A: Recovery is personalized. Your surgeon will set expectations for pain control, wound care, device training, and return to activities.