Pharmacologically induced penile erection (PIPE) as a maintenance treatment for erectile impotence: A report of 41 cases

Abstract

Abstract Forty-one patients with impotence, either organic in origin or unresponsive to psychosexual therapy, were treated by intracavernosal injections, in most cases using papaverine. Small test doses were given, progressing to higher doses if necessary, with instructions for self-injection. Older patients needed significantly higher doses than younger ones. Thirty-six of the 41 patients were able to achieve erections as a result of injections. Seventeen of these have continued self-injection at home; 14 achieved erections but had little or no further use of the injections at home; five achieved erections and used the treatment at home, but then discontinued it after the recovery of spontaneous erections. Five patients failed to achieve erections even with the maximum dose. Five patients early in the series experienced priapism, which was successfully treated. There were few other side effects.