Testicular prostheses: development and modern usage

Testicular prostheses produced from various materials have been in use since 1941. The absence of a testicle has been shown to be a psychologically traumatic experience for males of all ages. The indications for insertion of a prosthesis include absence or following orchidectomy from a number of causes such as malignancy, torsion and orchitis. The most common substance used around the world in the manufacture of these implants is silicone; however, in the US, this material is currently banned because of theoretical health risks. This has led to the development of saline-filled prostheses as an alternative. A Medline search was carried out on all articles on testicular prosthesis between 1966 and 2006. This review highlights the controversies regarding prosthetic materials, the complications of insertion and the potential benefits of this commonly performed procedure.