Coloplast Titan® Narrow Base

What Is the Coloplast Titan Narrow Base?

The Coloplast Titan Narrow Base is a reduced-diameter version of the Titan 3-piece inflatable penile prosthesis.

It is designed primarily for men whose corpora cavernosa cannot be safely dilated enough to accept standard Titan cylinders.

This situation is most commonly encountered in severe corporal fibrosis, previous penile prosthesis surgery, prior infected implant removal, ischemic priapism and other forms of cavernosal scarring.

Like the standard Titan, the Narrow Base system includes two inflatable cylinders, a scrotal pump and a separate fluid reservoir.

Why Is It Called Narrow Base?

The term Narrow Base refers to the smaller-diameter cylinder configuration.

The purpose is to permit implantation through a narrower corporal channel.

It is not intended as a cosmetic option for men who simply prefer a smaller device.

Instead, it is principally a reconstructive solution for anatomy that cannot safely accommodate standard cylinders.

How the Titan Narrow Base Works

The prosthesis functions hydraulically.

When the patient repeatedly squeezes the pump implanted in the scrotum, fluid moves from the separate reservoir into the paired cylinders.

As the cylinders fill, they become rigid and expand circumferentially.

After intercourse, the patient activates the deflation mechanism.

Fluid returns to the reservoir and the cylinders become softer.

The implant therefore provides a patient-controlled erection independent of the natural vascular erectile mechanism.

Three-Piece Architecture

Titan Narrow Base uses the same basic 3-piece architecture as the standard Titan.

The system consists of:

Two intracavernosal cylinders

One scrotal pump

One separate fluid reservoir

Silicone tubing connects these components.

This distinguishes it from malleable prostheses and from 2-piece inflatable systems such as AMS Ambicor.

Bioflex® Cylinder Material

Titan cylinders are manufactured using Coloplast's proprietary Bioflex material.

Bioflex is a polyurethane-based biopolymer designed to provide durability and substantial axial rigidity while remaining inflatable.

The Narrow Base configuration uses the same Titan material platform but with dimensions intended for restricted corporal anatomy.

Narrow Diameter

The defining characteristic of the Narrow Base model is reduced cylinder diameter.

A recent review of penile prosthesis cylinder selection describes the Titan Narrow Base as having limited girth expansion to approximately 17 mm.

This smaller diameter allows implantation when corporal dilation is inadequate for a conventional standard Titan cylinder.

The narrower profile should be considered an anatomical compromise rather than an enhancement feature.

Current Cylinder Lengths

Current Coloplast U.S. and UK product information lists Titan Narrow Base cylinders in:

11 cm

14 cm

16 cm

18 cm

Both penoscrotal and infrapubic preconnected configurations are currently listed.

Older regulatory documentation also confirms dedicated Narrow Base configurations, including 11 cm and 14 cm cylinders.

Penoscrotal Configurations

Titan Narrow Base is available in configurations intended for penoscrotal implantation.

The penoscrotal approach provides direct access to the corpora and scrotal pump space.

This can be useful in fibrosis cases where extended corporotomy, cavernotomes or additional corporal exposure may be required.

Infrapubic Configurations

Infrapubic Narrow Base configurations are also available.

This approach accesses the corpora through an incision above the penile base.

Choice between penoscrotal and infrapubic implantation depends on surgeon experience, fibrosis location, previous surgery, reservoir strategy and patient anatomy.

Neither approach is universally superior.

Titan Narrow Base and Corporal Fibrosis

Severe corporal fibrosis is the primary clinical setting in which Narrow Base cylinders become particularly useful.

Fibrosis replaces compliant erectile tissue with dense scar tissue.

The corporal lumen becomes smaller and more difficult to dilate.

Reviews of fibrotic penile prosthesis surgery specifically identify Titan Narrow Base and AMS 700 CXR as the main narrow inflatable-cylinder options for these cases.

How Much Dilation Is Needed?

A recent surgical review recommends approximately 12 mm corporal dilation for standard inflatable cylinders but around 10 mm for smaller-diameter or narrow-base devices.

This illustrates why a Narrow Base implant may succeed when standard cylinders cannot be safely placed.

The exact requirement depends on device generation, anatomy and surgeon technique.

Causes of Severe Corporal Fibrosis

Severe fibrosis may develop after several conditions.

Important causes include:

Previous infected penile prosthesis removal

Ischemic priapism

Previous penile prosthesis surgery

Penile trauma

Peyronie's disease

Intracavernosal injection injury

Prior reconstructive surgery

Idiopathic corporal fibrosis

The severity and anatomical distribution of fibrosis vary between patients.

After Previous Prosthesis Infection

Removing an infected penile prosthesis can lead to rapid corporal scarring and contraction.

If a new device is not placed immediately through a salvage strategy, later reimplantation can be technically difficult.

The resulting corporal channel may be too narrow for standard cylinders.

Titan Narrow Base provides a potential inflatable solution in this setting.

After Ischemic Priapism

Prolonged ischemic priapism causes cavernosal smooth-muscle necrosis and can progress to dense fibrosis.

Delayed prosthesis implantation after priapism may therefore require aggressive corporal dilation or narrow-cylinder placement.

Published surgical literature specifically describes successful Titan Narrow Base implantation in men with severe post-priapism fibrosis.

Use With Cavernotomes

Dense scar tissue may prevent ordinary dilators from passing through the corpora.

Specialized cutting cavernotomes can be used to create an adequate corporal channel.

One published case involving severe fibrosis after prolonged priapism used cavernotomes before inserting a Titan Narrow Base prosthesis.

The report achieved functional rigidity sufficient for penetration.

This illustrates the device's role in complex reconstructive prosthetic surgery.

Titan Narrow Base vs Standard Titan

The principal difference is cylinder diameter.

Standard Titan cylinders are intended for adequately sized corpora.

Narrow Base cylinders are intended for restricted corporal anatomy.

Standard Titan generally allows greater circumferential expansion.

Narrow Base sacrifices some potential girth to permit safer implantation in a smaller corporal space.

Both use the same overall Titan hydraulic platform.

Titan Narrow Base vs AMS 700 CXR

Titan Narrow Base and AMS 700 CXR serve similar clinical purposes.

Both are narrow-diameter 3-piece inflatable implants designed for restricted or fibrotic corpora.

Titan Narrow Base uses Bioflex cylinders and Coloplast's hydrophilic coating.

CXR uses the AMS 700 controlled-expansion platform and may be available with InhibiZone antibiotic treatment.

Biomechanical testing suggests the two narrow-cylinder systems have broadly comparable resistance to buckling.

There is insufficient clinical evidence to establish that one is universally superior.

Narrow Base Rigidity

Small-diameter implants can still provide substantial axial rigidity.

A review of small-diameter penile implants reported bench-testing data in which AMS 700 CXR and Titan Narrow Base performed similarly in resistance-to-buckling testing.

This is important because reduced diameter does not automatically mean inadequate rigidity.

Clinical function still depends on sizing, anatomy and inflation.

Titan Narrow Base vs Malleable Implant

A malleable implant may be easier to place in some severely scarred corpora because it does not require hydraulic components.

Titan Narrow Base provides an inflatable alternative.

Its advantage is a more distinct erect and deflated state.

The disadvantages include additional mechanical complexity, reservoir placement and the need for adequate hand dexterity.

Titan Narrow Base vs Rigicon NarrowBody

Rigicon also offers a restricted-diameter inflatable configuration within its Infla10 family.

Both systems are intended for limited corporal space.

Titan has a longer established clinical history.

Rigicon's narrow platform is newer and has less long-term evidence.

There are insufficient comparative data to recommend one universally over another.

HydroVANTAGE™ Hydrophilic Coating

Titan prosthesis components incorporate Coloplast's hydrophilic surface technology.

The coating rapidly absorbs an aqueous solution selected by the surgeon during device preparation.

This can include an antimicrobial solution according to local protocol and patient considerations.

The coating should not be described as containing one fixed embedded antibiotic combination.

Hydrophilic Coating vs InhibiZone

Coloplast and Boston Scientific use different antimicrobial surface strategies.

Titan's hydrophilic coating absorbs a solution chosen during surgical preparation.

AMS InhibiZone incorporates rifampin and minocycline into applicable device surfaces.

Neither approach eliminates infection risk.

They should therefore be described as different infection-prevention technologies rather than ranked as universally superior.

Lock-out™ Reservoir Valve

Titan uses a separate fluid reservoir incorporating Coloplast's Lock-out valve.

The valve is designed to reduce unintended fluid transfer into the cylinders.

This helps reduce the risk of unwanted auto-inflation.

It should be described as a preventive design feature rather than a guarantee that auto-inflation can never occur.

Reservoir

Because Narrow Base remains a 3-piece implant, a separate hydraulic reservoir must be implanted.

Patients requiring narrow cylinders may also have a history of major pelvic surgery.

Alternative or ectopic reservoir positioning may therefore be needed in some cases.

Previous prostatectomy, cystectomy, urinary diversion or hernia surgery should be considered during surgical planning.

Pump Options

Titan Narrow Base is available with Titan pump configurations and Titan Touch configurations depending on market.

The pump is implanted within the scrotum.

The patient squeezes it to transfer fluid into the cylinders and uses the deflation mechanism to return fluid to the reservoir.

Pump choice should be considered a configuration within the Titan Narrow Base family rather than a completely separate device category.

Current Titan Touch Narrow Base Sizes

Current Coloplast UK listings include Titan Touch Narrow Base cylinders in:

11 cm

14 cm

16 cm

18 cm

for both infrapubic and penoscrotal configurations.

This matches the current U.S. product listings for Narrow Base cylinder lengths.

Length Expansion

Titan Narrow Base is not specifically designed as a longitudinal-expansion penile implant.

Its primary engineering objective is to provide functional rigidity and circumferential expansion within a reduced corporal diameter.

It should therefore not be marketed as a length-expanding alternative to AMS 700 LGX or Rigicon Infla10 AX.

Girth Expansion

The cylinders expand circumferentially during inflation.

However, girth expansion is intentionally more limited than with standard Titan cylinders.

A 2026 cylinder-selection review describes the Narrow Base configuration as reaching approximately 17 mm diameter.

That trade-off allows implantation in more restricted anatomy.

Penile Length Expectations

Patients requiring narrow cylinders frequently already have penile shortening caused by fibrosis, previous infection, priapism or multiple procedures.

Titan Narrow Base cannot reliably restore tissue lost through corporal contraction.

Its priority is creation of a functional erection within the available anatomy.

No specific postoperative length increase should be guaranteed.

Penile Girth Expectations

Because the cylinders are narrower, patients may perceive reduced penile girth compared with standard cylinders.

This is an expected trade-off.

Attempting to force a larger implant into heavily scarred corpora can increase perforation, tissue injury, erosion and other complications.

Safe anatomical fit takes priority over maximizing diameter.

Downsizing as a Tissue-Expansion Strategy

A narrow implant can sometimes act as a tissue expander.

Regular cycling may gradually expand the fibrotic corporal tunnel.

In selected patients, later revision to a standard-diameter cylinder may then become possible.

Published reviews describe this approach with both Titan Narrow Base and AMS narrow-cylinder prostheses.

Upsizing is not guaranteed.

Future Upsizing

Future conversion to a larger cylinder depends on how the corporal tissue responds over time.

Some patients develop enough additional space for a standard prosthesis.

Others continue to have severe fibrosis.

The possibility of upsizing should therefore be presented as a potential staged strategy rather than an expected outcome.

Mechanical Reliability

There is no strong large-scale long-term mechanical-survival study dedicated exclusively to Titan Narrow Base.

Most durability evidence is published for the broader Titan family.

A 2025 systematic review found mechanical-failure rates for Titan prostheses ranging from 0% to 9.1% across included studies, although follow-up duration and patient populations varied.

These broader Titan data are informative but should not be presented as Narrow Base-specific mechanical-survival estimates.

Current Titan Family Mechanical Data

A large 2026 single-surgeon study evaluated 1,907 Titan Touch prostheses implanted between 2013 and 2025.

Overall, 214 patients required reoperation or replacement, with mechanical failure accounting for most reoperations.

Median time to reoperation was approximately 59 months.

Because the study included the Titan Touch platform broadly rather than isolating Narrow Base cylinders, these results should not be used as a Narrow Base-specific reliability headline.

Infection

Infection remains one of the most serious penile prosthesis complications.

Narrow Base patients may have an increased baseline risk because many have undergone previous implant surgery or prior infection.

The hydrophilic coating contributes to surgical infection-prevention strategy but cannot eliminate infection.

Confirmed deep infection may require prosthesis removal or salvage surgery.

Erosion and Perforation

Fibrotic corporal tissue can be thin, irregular or difficult to dilate.

This raises the risk of corporal perforation during implantation.

Long-term erosion is also possible if components exert excessive pressure on compromised tissues.

Careful sizing and reconstructive experience are therefore especially important.

Asymmetric Fibrosis

Fibrosis may affect the two corpora differently.

One side may be narrower, shorter or more densely scarred.

This can complicate implantation and sizing.

Advanced reconstructive techniques may be required to create symmetrical and safe cylinder channels.

Peyronie's Disease

Peyronie's disease can cause corporal fibrosis and penile deformity.

In men with severe erectile dysfunction requiring prosthesis implantation, a standard Titan may be used when anatomy permits.

Titan Narrow Base becomes particularly relevant when associated fibrosis creates insufficient corporal diameter for standard cylinders.

Additional modeling, plication, incision or grafting may be necessary if significant curvature remains after cylinder inflation.

After Radical Prostatectomy

Radical prostatectomy itself does not usually create the same severe intracavernosal fibrosis seen after priapism or infected implant removal.

Therefore, previous prostatectomy alone does not automatically indicate Narrow Base cylinders.

A standard Titan may still be appropriate if corporal dimensions permit.

Narrow Base should be chosen because of measured restricted anatomy rather than the historical diagnosis alone.

Manual Dexterity

Titan Narrow Base requires patient operation of a scrotal pump.

Patients need adequate hand strength, coordination and sensation to inflate and deflate the implant reliably.

For men with major hand impairment, a malleable prosthesis may be easier to manage.

Concealability

As a 3-piece inflatable implant, Titan Narrow Base can be deflated after intercourse.

Fluid leaves the cylinders and returns to the reservoir.

This produces a softer resting state and generally better concealability than a malleable prosthesis.

Severe fibrosis can reduce how naturally the penis hangs even when the implant is deflated.

MRI Status

The Titan penile prosthesis family is MR Conditional.

MRI can be performed only under the conditions specified by Coloplast.

Patients should inform the radiology team that they have an implanted penile prosthesis and provide their implant information before scanning.

FDA Status

Titan is an FDA-approved inflatable penile prosthesis platform under PMA P000006.

FDA supplemental records specifically document design changes to Titan Narrow Base cylinders, including the 11 cm and 14 cm configurations.

The FDA database therefore directly confirms Narrow Base as part of the approved Titan prosthesis system.

Who May Be a Good Candidate for Titan Narrow Base?

Titan Narrow Base may be appropriate for men with severe erectile dysfunction and restricted corporal anatomy that cannot safely accept standard inflatable cylinders.

This includes selected patients with fibrosis after prior implant infection, explantation, ischemic priapism or repeated prosthesis surgery.

It may also be considered in other forms of severe corporal scarring.

Candidates should understand that the primary goal is reliable rigidity within the available anatomy rather than maximizing penile dimensions.

What Should Patients Weigh Before Choosing Titan Narrow Base?

The principal advantage of Titan Narrow Base is that it may make a 3-piece inflatable implant possible when standard cylinders cannot safely fit.

The main trade-off is reduced diameter and therefore potentially less penile girth.

Patients requiring the device also tend to have more complex anatomy and may face greater surgical difficulty than routine primary implant recipients.

Expectations about length, girth and future revision should therefore be discussed carefully before surgery.