Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Comment
  • Published:

Comment on: Application of gelatin sponge (Gelfoam®) as a hemostatic agent in inflatable penile prosthesis implantation

International Journal of Impotence Research (2025)Cite this article

Subjects

Shaeer et al. [1] present a thoughtful single-surgeon experience exploring the adjunctive use of a gelatin sponge (Gelfoam®) to reduce postoperative bleeding during inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) surgery. Their report demonstrates an impressive 70–80% reduction in postoperative drain output, with no hematomas or infections in the treatment cohort. These findings, though intriguing, must be interpreted with appropriate methodological caution before considering Gelfoam® a standard adjunct in prosthetic urology.

The study’s greatest strength lies in its meticulous operational detail. The authors clearly describe the preparation, modification, and targeted application of Gelfoam® to corporotomies, the pump space, and the reservoir track, techniques that make replication feasible for other surgeons. Moreover, by deliberately omitting mummy wrap compression, they attempt to isolate the hemostatic effect of Gelfoam® itself, an uncommon but intellectually disciplined choice.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on SpringerLink
  • Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

References

  1. Shaeer O, Shaeer K. Application of gelatin sponge (Gelfoam®) as a hemostatic agent in inflatable penile prosthesis implantation. Int J Impot Res. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-025-01184-6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Van Renterghem K, De Bruyn H, Yebes A, Calopedos R, Deho F, Torremade J, et al. Early complications after penile prosthesis surgery: findings from the PHOENIX multicenter registry. Int J Impot Res. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-025-01080-z.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Braun AE, Swerdloff D, Sudhakar A, Patel RD, Gross MS, Simhan J. Defining the incidence and management of postoperative scrotal hematoma after primary and complex three-piece inflatable penile prosthesis surgery. Int J Impot Res. 2025;37:82–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Vural A, De Bruyn H, Van Renterghem K. How to improve functional outcome of inflatable penile implant surgery? a narrative review. Int J Impot Res. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-025-01030-9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Pfizer. Gelfoam® Sterile Sponge (absorbable gelatin sponge, USP): Prescribing Information. New York (NY): Pfizer Inc; 2023.

  6. Cohen SD, Francois Eid J. Hemostatic matrix during corporotomy closure. J Sex Med. 2014;11:869–72.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Wolfe AR, Davenport MT, Rozanski AT, Shakir NA, Ward EE, West ML, et al. An update on oxidized regenerated cellulose (fibrillar) in reducing postoperative corporal bleeding following inflatable penile prosthesis surgery. Transl Androl Urol. 2020;9:43–9.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  8. Sadeghi-Nejad H, Ilbeigi P, Wilson SK, Delk JR, Siegel A, Seftel AD, et al. Multi-institutional outcome study on the efficacy of closed-suction drainage of the scrotum in three-piece inflatable penile prosthesis surgery. Int J Impot Res. 2005;17:535–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Henry GD. The Henry mummy wrap and the Henry finger sweep surgical techniques. J Sex Med. 2009;6:619–22.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Osmonov D, Ragheb AM, Petry T, Eraky A, Bettocchi C, Lamers KG, et al. Value of prolonged scrotal drainage after penile prosthesis implantation: a multicenter prospective nonrandomized pilot study. Int J Impot Res. 2025;37:87–91.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center, Bronx, NY, USA

    Wasim Ghani

  2. Andro Expertise Men’s Health and Aesthetic Clinic, Istanbul, Turkey

    Ahmet Tevfik Albayrak

  3. Institutes of Urologic Excellence, Sarasota, FL, USA

    Steven K. Wilson

Authors
  1. Wasim Ghani
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ahmet Tevfik Albayrak
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Steven K. Wilson
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

WG: Provided surgical perspective, performed literature review, and contributed to conceptual framing. ATA: Conceived and drafted the manuscript, performed literature review, and contributed clinical interpretation. SKW: Provided surgical perspective, performed literature review, contributed clinical interpretation, and provided critical revisions for intellectual content.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ahmet Tevfik Albayrak.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

WG: Declares no conflict of interest. ATA: Declares no conflict of interest. SKW: Consultant for International Medical Devices, Rigicon, Uramix.

Additional information

Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ghani, W., Albayrak, A.T. & Wilson, S.K. Comment on: Application of gelatin sponge (Gelfoam®) as a hemostatic agent in inflatable penile prosthesis implantation. Int J Impot Res (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-025-01212-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Version of record:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-025-01212-5

Search

Advanced search

Quick links