How to Choose a Penile Implant Surgeon: 7 Criteria That Matter

In penile implant surgery, the variable that determines the outcome is not the brand but the surgeon's experience and technique. Once an implant is in place, the quality of that first operation shapes the patient's experience for many years. Choosing the right surgeon is therefore the most critical step of the decision.

What should you look for in a penile implant surgeon?

Surgical volume: Penile implant surgery has a distinct learning curve. Higher-volume surgeons are known in the literature to have lower infection and complication rates. Asking how many implant operations a surgeon performs each year is a legitimate and important question.
Center of Excellence credentials: Certifications issued by manufacturers such as Boston Scientific (AMS 700™) and Coloplast (Titan®) independently confirm that a surgeon meets defined volume and quality criteria for that system.
Infection-prevention approach: Ask whether the surgeon uses the no-touch technique and antibiotic-coated implants. Infection is the most important complication of this surgery, and preventing it comes before treating it.
Working with multiple brands and models: A surgeon who can select among malleable and inflatable options according to your anatomy and expectations — rather than being tied to a single system — can build a more individualised plan.
Revision surgery experience: A surgeon who also manages patients with problems after surgery elsewhere is prepared for complex cases.
Honest, realistic counselling: An approach that avoids guarantees and exaggerated promises and instead explains risks, alternatives and limits clearly is a marker of trustworthiness.
Post-operative follow-up: Implant surgery does not end in the operating room. Teaching device use and regular follow-up are an essential part of satisfaction.

Questions you can ask at your consultation

Approximately how many penile implant operations do you perform each year?
Which brands and models do you work with, and which do you recommend for me and why?
What techniques do you use to reduce infection risk?
What are the risks and possible complications in my particular case?
How will follow-up proceed, and how do I reach you if a problem arises?

What should not drive your decision?

Advertising claims, bold outcome stories on social media, or comparisons based on cost alone do not form a sound basis for choice. Under medical regulations, doctors cannot guarantee results; approaches that promise guaranteed or certain outcomes warrant caution. Where a permanent device is involved, the criteria must be experience, technique and transparency.

Is seeking a second opinion wrong?

No. Obtaining a second medical opinion before a permanent decision is entirely reasonable, and experienced surgeons regard it as normal. What matters is that you decide with sufficient information and without haste.

Assoc. Prof. Zülfü Sertkaya is one of Europe's leading high-volume penile implant surgeons, holding Boston Scientific AMS 700™ and Coloplast Titan® Center of Excellence credentials and operating with the no-touch technique, in which the implant is placed without skin contact. At his clinic in Istanbul, all assessments are carried out confidentially.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most important criterion when choosing a penile implant surgeon?

The surgeon's experience and annual surgical volume. Higher-volume surgeons are known to have lower infection and complication rates. Center of Excellence credentials and use of the no-touch technique are also important indicators.

What does a Center of Excellence credential mean?

It is the manufacturer's certification that the surgeon meets high volume and quality criteria for that implant system — an independent confirmation of experience.

Is it appropriate to ask my surgeon how many operations they perform?

Absolutely. It is a legitimate and important question; experienced surgeons regard it as normal and answer openly.

Which matters more in implant surgery — the brand or the surgeon?

Both modern brands achieve high satisfaction. The decisive variable is correct indication together with the surgeon's experience and technique.

Medical Disclaimer: The content on this page is for general information only and does not replace a physician's examination. Always consult a doctor for a personal diagnosis and treatment.