Dr. Andrew Kramer Urology: Penile Implant to Correct Erectile Dysfunction in Diabetic Patient
In a video recently shared by Dr. Andrew Kramer urology specialist and penile implant surgeon, the patient who sought his help with installing a penile implant to correct his erectile dysfunction was found to be dealing with diabetes.
Diabetes in a nutshell
Diabetes is a medical condition directly linked to one’s blood sugar level and how insulin interacts with it. Patients diagnosed as having diabetes generally have high blood sugar or blood glucose levels, caused by one of two things: the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, which usually happens when the body’s immune system is actively preventing production of the hormone, or the body isn’t effectively using insulin. In either case, there is a problem with the body’s high blood sugar levels and insulin.
Erectile dysfunction in a male diabetic patient
Complications may arise from uncontrolled or untreated diabetes. In male patients, one of the most common and worrisome complications is erectile dysfunction, as mentioned by Dr. Andrew Kramer, Urology, in the video. Erectile dysfunction, also known as impotence, in male diabetic patients could be caused by the following complications from diabetes:
- Nerve damage
- Blood vessel damage
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
Dr. Andrew Kramer, urology specialist, notices hematoma on patient during penile implant surgery
Various signs and symptoms are associated with diabetes, and these can appear at any given time. Case in point is when penile implant surgeon Dr. Kramer was performing implant surgery on a diabetic patient. When he injected the patient with a local anesthetic to help with the discomfort associated with surgeries, he noticed the area where the needle was inserted immediately developed hematoma. And as he mentioned in the video, the hematoma could have been caused by diabetes as diabetic patients are generally prone to bruising.
And as the doctor proceeded with the implant surgery, he noticed a dense tissue buildup inside the penis, which again he says could have been caused by diabetes.
Note: For the surgery, Dr. Kramer used the AMS CX inflatable implant device, which can provide the patient with more rigidity, and good column strength.
Other common symptoms of diabetes
Apart from being more prone to bruising, a diabetic patient, regardless of gender, could experience the following symptoms:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Wounds and sores that are slow to heal
- Blurry vision
- Prone to infections
- Tender gums that easily bleed
- Prone to gum swelling
- Chronic itchy or dry skin
Patients may also experience frequent tingling in their hands or feet, frequent hunger pangs, and darkened creases on the skin.
Correcting erectile dysfunction in a diabetic patient
Before a penile implant surgery, your doctor could recommend non-invasive alternatives first, shares Dr. Andrew Kramer, Urology. These could include medications that induce erection like Viagra or a penile suppository, which the patient inserts through the tip of the penis before intercourse. A pumping device may also be prescribed. Not to confuse it with an inflatable implant, this pumping device is actually a hollow tube that the patient places over the penis to pump up blood to the penis, which causes an erection.
Whatever the method for correcting erectile dysfunction caused by diabetes, it is always best to consult a licensed physician, advises Dr. Andrew Kramer, urology specialist.