How Much Penile Size is Lost After a Penile Implant?

In men with erectile dysfunction (ED) not caused by Peyronie’s Disease (PD), studies show a slight reduction in erect penile length post-implant. A prospective study showed a decrease of 0.83 cm at 6 weeks, 0.75 cm at 6 months, and 0.74 cm at 12 months post-surgery. Despite this, around 72% of men report a subjective sense of length loss even if measurements do not support a significant change.

In contrast, another study found that 75% of men experienced increased length or girth after surgery, highlighting the importance of patient-specific factors such as device selection and pre-operative penile status.

For patients with Peyronie’s Disease (PD), implants are not primarily designed to restore penile length. However, selected cases using the AMS 700 LGX device showed an increase from 13.1 cm to 14.2 cm over 12 months. Advanced techniques like the Modified Sliding Technique (MoST) or Multiple-Slit Technique (MuST) can achieve length gains up to 7 cm, but are associated with greater surgical risks and should be performed only by experienced surgeons.

In cases of ischaemic priapism, penile shortening is common due to fibrosis. Early implantation (within 48 hours) significantly reduces shortening risk (3% vs. 40%) compared to delayed surgery and helps maintain penile girth and length.

Ultimately, while minor length loss may occur post-implant, the functional benefits and potential for length maintenance—especially with early intervention or special techniques—often outweigh cosmetic concerns. Thorough pre-operative counseling is critical to align expectations.