“We can rebuild him. We have the technology. We can make him better than he was. Better, stronger, faster.”
A famous introductory one-liner from the TV series “The Six Million Dollar Man”.
Thirteen men were fitted with so-called “bionic penises” in Irish public hospitals last year, according to HSE figures, same released under the Freedom of Information.
The devices, officially known as penile prostheses, are surgically implanted hydraulic systems that can be manually inflated to help men suffering from serious erectile dysfunction regain sexual function.
The number of procedures rose by more than 60% last year, with patients diagnosed with conditions including “failure of genital response” and “impotence of organic origin”.
The HSE said the procedures are carried out only where clinically indicated, but could not provide a central cost. Based on private UK pricing of around €34,800 per procedure, the total cost may have exceeded €450,000.
A previous Irish Medical Journal study found 86% of patients who received the treatment in Irish hospitals between 2008 and 2017 were satisfied with the outcome, although complications such as infection, erosion and device failure were also reported.
So there you have it; amid all the talk of health service delays within the HSE, at least one part of the system appears to be standing up to pressure. ☺☻☺☻
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