Prosthetic Urology Training Program
Master the art of the penile implant
A hands-on IPP surgical training program developed in 2015 to help urologists hone their skills placing penile implants — and build an independent, successful implant practice. Led by Dr. Edward Gheiler, who has trained more than 250 urologists: roughly 30 a year through this masterclass and, for the past three years, roughly 20 more each year as faculty of Boston Scientific’s annual Latin America course.
Introduction
Honing the skills behind a successful implant practice
The penile implant training course first started in 2015, developed to assist the urologist in honing their skills at placing penile implants. Urologists are taken through every phase of the implant process, in order to develop an independent and successful implant practice.
For an implant program to be successful, urologists have to achieve a high level of success in both their surgeries’ cosmetic and functional results, as well as the minimization of side effects — especially SST retractions and infections. Only once this level of mastery is achieved will urologists feel confident that the penile implant is the best way to restore a man’s erectile function. These patients are among the happiest in the world.
My implant career started in 1994 when I met my teacher Dr. C.B. Dhabuwala, who taught me the three ways to place penile implants: infrapubic, perineal and penoscrotal. After dedicating myself to urologic oncology and reconstruction, life kept pulling me back toward penile implants. I have been placing implants in practice since the year 2000 and have never looked back — and I am proud of our fellowship program, started in 2015.
The fellowship is a separate, extended training program — the NSU Fellowship in Prosthetic Urology (SMSNA-endorsed) — distinct from the two-day masterclass described on this site.
How does one find patients?
If you do a good job at something, let the world know so patients can come to you. The first 10 years of my private practice I spent every Saturday on the radio doing a 30-minute medical show — you would be surprised how many people tune in. Marketing takes patience and repetition; later in my career television took it to new highs. Look for partners like hospitals or the implant manufacturers, and encourage happy patients to share their experience and leave reviews. The most important part of getting patients is to treat people with respect and do the best job you can.
Realistic Expectations
The key to patient happiness is realistic expectations. The single best test is the penile stretch test: with the patient standing, stretch the glans penis out as much as possible and have him look down and observe — this is the closest approximation of penile length following implant surgery. If he is happy with that length, schedule surgery; if he argues, be cautious, as unrealistic expectations rarely end well. Be especially careful with the post-radical-prostatectomy patient, who has already lost length and may blame the implant.
Explore the training program
Everything you need before and after attending the course.
FAQ
About the masterclass
- What is Dr. Gheiler's IPP Surgical Masterclass?
- A hands-on course in which Dr. Edward Gheiler, MD, FACS — designated a Boston Scientific AMS 700 Center of Excellence, performing approximately 400 inflatable penile implant procedures a year — teaches practicing urologists his scrotal AMS 700 technique, placed through a single hidden incision in the scrotal fold and designed to leave a concealed, minimally visible scar, across an eight-module, 37-step curriculum covering technique, cosmesis, and complication avoidance.
- Who teaches the masterclass?
- Dr. Edward Gheiler, MD, a board-certified Miami urologist and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), designated by Boston Scientific as an AMS 700 Center of Excellence. He performs approximately 400 inflatable penile implant procedures per year and teaches the AMS 700 procedure to other surgeons.
- What does the masterclass cover?
- Eight modules and 37 steps: sterility and infection prophylaxis; positioning, prep and anesthesia; approach and incision; corporotomy, sizing and implantation; implant selection and cosmesis; complications and revisions; reservoir placement; and pump placement — including real-world pitfalls and how to avoid them.
- What is the concealed-scar scrotal technique?
- Dr. Gheiler places the AMS 700 inflatable implant through a single hidden incision in the upper lateral scrotum along the natural rugae, designed so the scar is concealed and minimally visible once healed. It is the approach taught in the masterclass.
- Is the masterclass specific to the AMS 700?
- The masterclass teaches Dr. Gheiler’s technique on the Boston Scientific AMS 700 inflatable penile prosthesis. The principles taught — sterility and infection prevention, sizing, cosmesis, reservoir and pump placement, and complication avoidance — apply across inflatable penile implant systems.
- How does the masterclass differ from a cadaver-based industry course?
- Rather than practicing on cadaver models, attendees train hands-on in a working operating room with live inflatable penile implant surgery — typically 4–10 real cases in a single day — along with the patient counseling, cosmesis decisions, and complication management that surround each case.
- Who is the masterclass for, and how is it arranged?
- Practicing urologists building or refining an inflatable penile implant practice. Training is usually individual or in pairs, and larger groups are accommodated for physicians traveling from outside the country. Training is coordinated through your local Boston Scientific implant representative.
- How many surgeons has Dr. Gheiler trained?
- More than 250 urologists. Dr. Gheiler has trained roughly 30 urologists a year through this masterclass for the better part of a decade, and for the past three years has trained roughly 20 more each year as faculty of Boston Scientific's annual Latin America course in Minneapolis.
- Is the masterclass a CME program? Do attendees receive a certificate?
- The masterclass is not a CME program. Certificates of completion are available through Boston Scientific when required.
- How long is the masterclass and where is it held?
- It is a two-day program based in South Beach, Miami. Thursday is spent in the office observing patient counseling, penile Dopplers, and Rezum procedures, followed by a lecture and a dinner Q&A; Friday is a full day in the OR.
- How many cases does the OR day include?
- The Friday OR session typically includes 4–10 inflatable penile implant procedures in a single day. On the Thursday office day you also observe patient counseling for implant surgery, penile Dopplers, and Rezum procedures.
- How is training arranged and what does it cost?
- Training programs are coordinated through your local Boston Scientific implant representative — ask your rep about scheduling a visit, or contact us through this site to discuss arrangements.
Ready to schedule training?
Training programs should be coordinated through your local Boston Scientific implant representative.
Instruction is available in English and Spanish — surgeons from Latin America are welcome.