The short answer
The No-Touch Technique is a surgical protocol designed to prevent the penile implant from ever contacting skin or the surrounding environment, where bacteria live. By keeping the device sterile from start to finish — and pairing it with antibiotic-coated implants — surgeons can drive infection rates below 1%, well under the national average.
Why infection is the risk that matters most
Penile implants are highly reliable, and most men are satisfied with their results. The single most serious complication is infection, because an infected implant usually has to be removed. That’s why the best programs focus so heavily on preventing infection before it can start — and why the technique your surgeon uses is worth understanding.
How the No-Touch Technique works
In a standard procedure, the device can briefly contact skin during placement, creating an opportunity for bacteria to reach it. The No-Touch Technique removes that risk with deliberate steps:
- A separate, dedicated sterile field is used specifically for the implant.
- Skin is covered so the device never contacts it during insertion.
- Instruments and gloves that touched skin are not used to handle the implant.
- The antibiotic-coated device is handled as little as possible and only within the protected field.
Combined with modern antibiotic-coated implants (such as the AMS 700’s Inhibizone surface) and careful patient preparation, these steps dramatically reduce the chance of contamination.
What this means for you
A lower infection rate means a lower chance of implant removal, revision surgery, and the setbacks that come with them. When comparing surgeons, asking about their infection-prevention protocol — and their actual infection rate — is one of the most useful questions you can ask.
Dr. Clavell’s approach
Dr. Jonathan Clavell uses the No-Touch Technique on his penile implant procedures and maintains an infection rate under 1%. As a high-volume specialist who performs 350+ implants a year with Center of Excellence recognition for both the AMS 700 and Coloplast Titan, infection prevention is built into every step of his process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the No-Touch Technique for penile implants?
It’s a surgical protocol that prevents the implant from contacting skin or a contaminated surface during placement, reducing infection risk. It’s used alongside antibiotic-coated devices.
How common is infection after penile implant surgery?
Infection is uncommon and continues to fall with modern techniques. The strongest programs using the No-Touch Technique and antibiotic-coated implants report infection rates under 1%.