Inflatable vs. Malleable Penile Implants: Understanding the Difference

When a penile implant becomes part of the conversation, many patients encounter two terms: the malleable (bendable) implant and the inflatable (hydraulic) implant. They are not the same option, and the real difference is not about which is "better"; it is about what suits your situation and expectations after your physician's assessment.

This is a pair of bendable rods placed in the erectile tissue. They hold a firm shape that can be manually positioned upward when needed and downward at other times. Mechanically simpler, it has no pump or fluid reservoir. Rigicon's Rigi10™ belongs to this category and is available in multiple diameters and lengths for the surgeon to match to anatomy.

• Use: simple manual bending, no operating steps.
• Mechanics: no moving hydraulic parts.
• May be offered in certain cases determined by the physician based on dexterity, anatomy, and expectations.

This is a three-piece system: two cylinders in the erectile tissue, a small pump in the scrotum, and a fluid reservoir. The patient presses the pump to transfer fluid and produce an erection, then deflates it to return to the flaccid state. Rigicon's Infla10® Pulse™ falls into this category: a closed, patient-controlled system.

• Use: patient-controlled inflation and deflation via the pump.
• Mechanics: a closed three-piece system (two cylinders, pump, reservoir).
• May suit patients who prefer a more natural appearance in both flaccid and erect states.

The type is not chosen from an advertisement or from someone else's experience. A urologist bases the decision on several practical criteria:

• Manual dexterity and the ability to operate a hydraulic system.
• Anatomy, body habitus, and prior surgeries.
• Patient expectations and lifestyle.
• Practical considerations and local supply pathway.

Avoid statements like "inflatable is always better" or "malleable is lower quality." Both are recognized medical options with their own indications, and the right choice matters more than the idea of a single "best device." Discuss the most suitable option with a urologist, and ask about the availability of Rigicon® solutions in Iraq through ALZIEBAQ Scientific Bureau.