Hasselt (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Professor Koenraad van Renterghem of Jessa Hospital received double recognition for his work in erectile dysfunction, performing 300 penile prosthesis surgeries annually and improving patients’ sexual function and well-being.
As VRT News reported, Professor Koenraad van Renterghem of Jessa Hospital in Hasselt has received double recognition for his work in treating erectile dysfunction (ED). He and his team perform about 300 penile prosthesis surgeries each year. These procedures are for men who do not respond to other treatments such as medication or vacuum devices.
Officials mentioned that erectile dysfunction is common. Studies show that 1 in 3 men over 40 struggles with ED. For men over 70, more than half are affected. The condition usually develops slowly and varies from person to person. ED can affect both physical health and emotional well-being.
What makes Professor Koenraad van Renterghem’s ED treatment at Jessa Hospital award-winning?
Professor Koenraad van Renterghem of Jessa Hospital says that erectile dysfunction can have different causes depending on how long it lasts and how severe it is. Short-term problems are often linked to psychological issues. Stress, anxiety, depression, and relationship difficulties can make it hard for men to get or maintain an erection.
He mentioned that these problems are usually temporary. They can improve with counselling, lifestyle changes, or treatment for mental health issues. In contrast, long-term or complete erectile dysfunction is often caused by medical conditions. Surgery on the prostate, diabetes, or heart disease can damage the nerves, blood vessels, or tissues needed for an erection.
For men with permanent erectile dysfunction, Professor Van Renterghem says surgery can provide a solution. An inflatable penile prosthesis is a common treatment. The device is implanted in the penis and can be inflated when sexual activity is desired. He mentioned that patients can normally resume sexual activity about 6 weeks after surgery.
“I’m thrilled with this award,”
the doctor concludes.
“It’s a testament to my entire team and the result of years of collective effort to improve the well-being of our patients.”
The first modern penile implant was performed in 1936 by Russian surgeon Nikolaj Bogoraz, who used rib cartilage to reconstruct the penis for soldiers with traumatic amputations. This early procedure laid the foundation for future treatments of erectile dysfunction.
In 1952, surgeons Willard E. Goodwin and William Wallace Scott at Johns Hopkins Hospital placed the first synthetic penile implant using acrylic materials. A breakthrough came in 1973, when Dr Brantley Scott introduced the first inflatable penile prosthesis, offering men a more natural solution for erectile dysfunction.
