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Three-piece inflatable penile implant with cylinders, pump and reservoir, the device repaired or replaced in revision surgery

ANDROLOGY · PROSTHETIC SURGERY

Penile Implant Revision Surgery in Turkey

Assoc. Prof. Tuncay Taş repairs or replaces penile implants that fail, shift or become infected, including devices placed in the US, Canada or the UK. First he finds which part failed, then he fixes only what needs fixing.

20+ years

in urology

10-15 years

typical lifespan

1-2 nights

in hospital

5-7 days

in Istanbul

Career figures from Assoc. Prof. Taş's clinical profile. Your written quote follows the examination, because every revision differs.

Medically reviewed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tuncay Taş, urologist · Updated October 2026

What is penile implant revision surgery?

Penile implant revision is a second operation on an existing implant. It repairs a faulty part, replaces the whole device, corrects its position or removes an infected implant. In short, it restores a reliable erection after a first implant stops doing its job.

Modern inflatable implants often work for 10 to 15 years or longer. Still, they have moving parts, so a pump, a tube or a cylinder can eventually wear out. In addition, a few men need revision earlier because of infection or a poor fit.

Revision is harder than a first implant, because the surgeon works through scar tissue around old hardware. That is why planning, not speed, decides the result.

signs

Signs your implant may need revision

Some signs allow a planned operation, while others need prompt care. So it helps to know which group your problem belongs to.

Pump squeezes but the penis stays soft

Likely cause: Fluid leak in a cylinder, tube or reservoir

How urgent: Planned revision

Penis stays partly hard and will not deflate

Likely cause: Stuck valve or auto-inflation

How urgent: Planned, sooner if painful

Pump has moved up into the groin or is hard to find

Likely cause: Pump migration

How urgent: Planned revision

The tip feels floppy or bends to one side

Likely cause: Cylinders too short or tip drift

How urgent: Planned revision

Fever, growing pain, redness or discharge

Likely cause: Implant infection

How urgent: Prompt assessment, the same week

A part shows through the skin or urethra

Likely cause: Erosion

How urgent: Urgent surgery

 

When it is not the device

 

Sometimes the implant works, but the result disappoints. For example, men notice a shorter feel or a soft tip. Then Assoc. Prof. Taş checks size and position first, because a revision only helps if it changes the cause.

repair-or-replace

Repair one part or replace the whole implant?

Not every failure needs a new device. In fact, a careful diagnosis keeps the operation as small as the problem allows. Here is how the plan follows the fault.

Single faulty part in a young device

Replace only that part through the old scar

Leak in a device older than about 5 years

Replace the whole device, because other parts age too

Pump or reservoir in the wrong place

Reposition it and secure it

Cylinders too short or tip drift

Correct sizing or reinforce the tip support

Active infection

Remove the device and wash out; replace at once or later

Malleable rods that no longer suit you

Convert to an inflatable implant when the tissue allows

 

Why the age of the device matters

 

Parts of the same implant wear at a similar pace. So if one part fails after many years, the others often follow. In that case, a full replacement avoids a third operation.

infection

What happens if an implant becomes infected?

Infection is less common than mechanical failure, but it needs faster action. Warning signs include fever, pain that grows instead of fading, spreading redness or discharge.

Antibiotics alone rarely clear an infected implant, because bacteria cling to its surface. So the device usually comes out, and the space is washed thoroughly.

 

Same-day or staged replacement

 

In selected cases, Assoc. Prof. Taş places a new device in the same operation after a full washout. This salvage approach helps keep penile length. Otherwise, he waits until the tissue heals, then implants a new device in a second operation.

Moreover, a long gap allows scarring that can shorten the penis. So timing is a decision he makes with you, case by case.

Your revision in Istanbul, step by step

Most men stay in Istanbul for about five to seven days for a planned revision. An infection case may need longer, or a second visit later.

01

Examination and records

 

First, Assoc. Prof. Taş examines the implant and tests the pump in person. Then he reviews your operation notes and implant card. Finally, ultrasound or blood tests confirm the diagnosis when needed.

02

Your written plan

 

Next, he explains whether you need a repair, a full replacement or a staged approach. Also, he discusses the device choice, including a switch to another brand.

03

Revision surgery

 

Under anaesthesia, he usually works through the old scar. He then removes scar tissue with care, replaces or repositions the parts and tests the device before closing.

04

Recovery and flight home

 

You stay one to two nights in hospital, then rest at your hotel. After a wound check, you fly home with a written activity plan and a direct contact.

Recovery after revision surgery

Recovery follows a pattern similar to a first implant, though swelling may last a little longer. Here is a typical timeline for a planned revision.

Days 1 to 2

Hospital stay, pain control and a first wound check

Week 1

Swelling and bruising settle; short walks and showers

Weeks 2 to 3

Return to desk work; no heavy lifting or cycling

Weeks 4 to 6

Training to inflate and deflate the device

About week 6

Sex usually allowed again, after your surgeon confirms healing

Finally, men who had an infected implant removed follow a separate timeline. In their case, the second operation comes only after the tissue fully clears.

What are the risks of implant revision?

Revision carries higher risks than a first implant, because scar tissue and old hardware make the field more complex. So honest information matters before you decide.

  • Infection: the risk is higher than in a first implant; antibiotic-coated devices and a thorough washout reduce it.

  • Length: scarring can make the penis feel shorter, especially after a long gap without a device.

  • Another failure: any mechanical device can wear out again over the years.

  • Swelling and bruising: common in the first weeks and usually settle without treatment.

abroad

Revision of an implant placed in another country

Many men who come for revision had their first implant elsewhere, often in the US, Canada or the UK. Assoc. Prof. Taş works with AMS 700, Coloplast Titan, Rigicon and malleable devices, so he can repair or replace each of them.

 

What to bring

 

  • The implant card or the brand and model, and the date of the first operation.

  • The operation notes, especially cylinder length and reservoir position.

  • Any recent scans, urine or blood results, and a list of your medicines.

 

Switching brands

 

Often you can choose a different device for the replacement. For example, a man with malleable rods may move to an inflatable implant. Read more on the penile implant page and the Coloplast Titan page.

cost

How much does penile implant revision cost in Turkey?

Revision prices depend on the problem. A single-part repair costs less, while a full replacement includes a new device. So your quote follows the examination.

As a reference, Assoc. Prof. Taş's guide prices for a new implant start at $5,000. By comparison, the same devices cost $16,000 to $35,000 in the United States.

Single-part repair or repositioning

Istanbul, Assoc. Prof. Taş: Personal quote after examination

United States: Varies by insurer

United Kingdom (private): Varies by clinic

Replacement with malleable rods

Istanbul, Assoc. Prof. Taş: $5,000 to $7,000 for the new implant package

United States: $16,000 to $22,000

United Kingdom (private): £11,000 to £14,000

Replacement with Rigicon Infla10

Istanbul, Assoc. Prof. Taş: $6,000 to $11,000 for the new implant package

United States: $20,000 to $28,000

United Kingdom (private): £14,000 to £18,000

Replacement with AMS 700 or Coloplast Titan

Istanbul, Assoc. Prof. Taş: $9,000 to $12,000 for the new implant package

United States: $24,000 to $35,000

United Kingdom (private): £17,500 to £22,000

The table shows new implant packages. Removal of old parts, scar work or an infection washout adds to the quote.

In addition, the team arranges your hotel and transfers. So you know the total before you book flights.

Questions to ask before a revision abroad

A good surgeon welcomes these questions, so do not hold back. In fact, clear answers tell you more than any brochure.

  1. Which part failed, and how do you know? A clear diagnosis comes before any plan.

  2. Repair or full replacement, and why? The answer should depend on the device's age and the fault.

  3. How will you protect my length? Ask about scar removal and cylinder sizing.

  4. What if you find an infection during surgery? Agree on the plan before the operation.

  5. Who follows me up after I fly home? Make sure you have written records and a direct contact.

Why patients choose Assoc. Prof. Tuncay Taş

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tuncay Taş, urologist in Istanbul

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tuncay Taş is a urologist with more than 20 years of experience. He also founded Safe Urology Clinic in Istanbul, and patients travel to him from over 60 countries.

  • Medical degree from Istanbul University School of Medicine, 2004

  • Urology residency at the University of Health Sciences, Taksim Training and Research Hospital

  • Fellowship in urological oncology and laparoscopic urology, Heidelberg University, Germany

  • Surgery in JCI-accredited partner hospitals in Istanbul

  • Member of the European Association of Urology and the Endourological Society

He also publishes research on erectile dysfunction treatment. Read his full background on the About Us page, or see the full range of erectile dysfunction treatments.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a penile implant last?

 

Many modern inflatable implants work for 10 to 15 years or longer. Malleable rods have no pump and fewer parts that can fail.

 

Can you revise an implant placed in another country?

 

Yes. Assoc. Prof. Taş works with AMS 700, Coloplast Titan, Rigicon and malleable devices. Bringing your operation notes speeds up planning.

 

Can my implant be repaired instead of replaced?

 

Sometimes. A single faulty part in a young device can be replaced alone, while an older leaking device usually needs full replacement.

 

Is an infected penile implant an emergency?

 

Fever, spreading redness or discharge need assessment within days. Erosion through the skin or urethra needs urgent surgery.

 

Will I lose length after revision?

 

Revision can cause some loss, mainly from scarring. However, careful scar removal and correct sizing help protect your length.

 

How long do I need to stay in Istanbul?

 

Plan for about five to seven days for a planned revision. An infection case may need longer or a second visit.

 

How much does implant revision cost in Turkey?

 

It depends on the fault. As a reference, new implant packages with Assoc. Prof. Taş cost $5,000 to $12,000, and your quote follows the examination.

 

Can I switch to a different implant brand?

 

Often yes. For example, you can move from malleable rods to an inflatable device when the tissue allows it.

 

When can I have sex again after revision?

 

Most men wait about six weeks. Your surgeon confirms healing and teaches you to use the device before you start.

 

Is revision surgery harder than the first implant?

 

Yes, because the surgeon works through scar tissue around old parts. That is why it usually takes longer and needs careful planning.

 

Assoc. Prof. Taş's published research

This peer-reviewed paper comes from Assoc. Prof. Taş's own work on erectile dysfunction.

  1. Early Clinical Results of the Tolerability, Safety, and Efficacy of Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma Administration in Erectile Dysfunction. Sexual Medicine, 2021. First author.

 

Public health information

 

This page informs and does not replace an in-person medical consultation. So treatment decisions always follow your own examination and records.

Talk to Assoc. Prof. Taş about your implant

Book a confidential consultation and get a clear plan, a written quote and dates that suit your trip.

Maria Safe Urology-Men's Health  International Patient Representative
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