Análisis comparativo termográfico y de gases sanguíneos de los cuerpos cavernosos del varón en el curso de diferentes tipos de erección

Abstract

ObjectiveTo analyse the variation in cutaneous temperature in the corpus cavernosum of males with no erectile dysfunction, in the course of the different erections, and its relation with penile haemodynamics. Material and methodsStatistical comparison of penile cutaneous temperature measurements during the different phases of the different types of erection. Blood samples were taken from the corpus cavernosum for blood gas analysis, and were statistically compared to the results obtained in relation to the rest situation. Results and discussionPhysiological erection: there was a statistically significant increase in the temperature until the moment of complete erection. There was also a significant increase in PO2 and SatO2, and a decrease of PCO2 with a slight increase in pH. This implies the existence of an increase of the arterial expansion with a venous restriction (without stagnation). Pharmacological erection: the subjects who reached a complete erection showed a temperature decrease (mean, 1.13°C). The HCO3 shows a slight metabolic acidosis. There is quite a large increase in PO2 and SatO2, and a decrease in thePCO2, whilst the pH remains quite stable, due to the fact that the HCO3 decreases by about 12% and compensates for the slight decrease in PCO2. Mechanical erection: temperature was stable with a slight increase in PO2, which was insignificant 10 min after placing the tourniquet. The PCO2 increased 10 min post-vacuum, although not significantly, so the variations in pH were be very small. This led to a slight increase in artrial flow and venous stasis which is boosted by maintaining the constricting band. ConclusionsPhysiological, pharmacological and mechanical erections are very different, even when the final state of the penis seems identical. The results of our study appear to suggest a complementary cooling property of the papaverine. Mechanical erection can not be considered as an authentic erection.