Penile revascularization for arterial occlusive disease

Abstract

Erectile dysfunction is a common disorder that affects almost 1 in 10 men throughout their lifetime. The Massachusetts male aging study demonstrates that although the prevalence of erectile dysfunction increases with age, men of all age groups are affected. When all degrees of erectile dysfunction are included, almost 70% of elderly men complain of this disorder. Many new and effective medical therapies are available for the management of erectile dysfunction. Its management has evolved into a goal-oriented process in which men undergo a minimal evaluation and choose their one of many therapy options. In this setting, the underlying cause of erectile dysfunction rarely is determined and has little meaning; however, all of these treatments are palliative rather than curative, because the underlying disorder never is altered.