Rigicon’s Innovative ED Solutions: Dr. Kramer on the Rigi10™ for Implant Salvage Surgery

The webinar opened with an explanation of the company’s expansion into the Chilean market and the significance of the name “Rigicon”—a combination of rigidity and continence. Unlike other companies that diversify across multiple medical areas, Rigicon focuses exclusively on pelvic and prosthetic urology.

This focused approach allows Rigicon to deliver highly specialized solutions and dedicated support to both physicians and patients.

🔹 Rigidity Solutions:

• Testicular Prosthesis
• Rigi10^™ – Malleable Penile Prosthesis
• Infla10^® – Inflatable Penile Prosthesis

🔹 Continence Solutions:

• ContiClassic^® – Artificial Urinary Sphincter (AUS), the first of its kind
• An advanced AUS device currently under development

🔹 Surgical Instruments:

• The world’s first single-use Furlow^™ Insertion Tool
• Ergonomically designed Rigid Dilators

Rigicon continues to innovate with the promise of expanding its product range in the near future.

Dr. Kramer, a leading prosthetic urologist, shared his clinical observations using Rigicon’s Rigi10^™ (semi-rigid) and Infla10^® (inflatable) penile implants. While he has yet to use Rigicon’s AUS or testicular prosthesis, his experience with Rigi10^™ in infected implant salvage has been especially noteworthy.

Rigi10^™ in Infected Implant Salvage Procedures

According to Dr. Kramer, although inflatable implants are typically preferred for primary procedures in the U.S., semi-rigid prostheses like Rigi10^™ are now the gold standard in salvage surgery for infected implants.

Signs of Infection:
Not all patients show fever or elevated WBC counts. Common indicators include a high-riding, indurated, and occasionally draining pump—often resulting from a hematoma trapping the pump and serving as an infection nidus.

1. Complete Removal:
   All components (cylinders, pump, reservoir) must be removed. Inflating the device can help identify dissection planes.
2. Thorough Washout:
   Using the Mulcahy technique, the corporal spaces are irrigated with Betadine, hydrogen peroxide, and bacitracin.
3. Corporotomy Adjustment:
   Corporotomies are slightly larger for semi-rigid implants but Rigi10^™ requires less space than earlier models.
4. Implant Sizing & Insertion:
   After trimming, the implant is bent manually and placed into the corpora. The Furlow^™ tool is not used.
5. Scrotal Closure:
   The scrotum is carefully sutured.

• Smaller incision required
• Flexible, can be coiled/uncoiled in situ
• Antibiotic-coated surface
• Firm yet easily bendable
• Straightforward insertion

Patients often feel relief and reduced pain after switching to Rigi10^™, even with post-op sutures. Some keep the Rigi10^™ long-term; others opt for a three-piece inflatable implant after 2–3 months.

“The Rigi10^™ has become our gold standard in salvage surgery for infected implants, offering a reliable solution in challenging clinical scenarios.”

Beyond infection salvage, Rigi10^™ can be a first-line option for patients who:

• ⚠️ Have limited manual dexterity (e.g., Parkinson’s, MS)
• ⚠️ Have diabetes
• ⚠️ Prefer avoiding pump-based devices

Semi-rigid implants are more commonly selected as the primary option in regions like Latin America and the Middle East.

Dr. Moreno posed questions regarding difficult removals of rear tips or reservoirs in infected fields. Dr. Kramer emphasized:

• Every component must be removed. Leaving behind reservoirs or rear tips is a “ticking time bomb” that can lead to abscess formation.
• Rear tips: If embedded, use a long instrument (e.g., Cryo Cuff) to extract.
• Reservoirs: Challenging to remove—don’t hesitate to make a counter-incision.

Despite the technical challenge, complete removal is crucial for infection eradication and long-term success.