Preliminary results of the treatment of erectile impotence by intracavernous self administration of vasoactive substances

Abstract

From a group of 120 patients with erectile deficiency, 43 cases with arterial disorders with or without associated nervous, psychologic or venous causes were selected for treatment. Mean age of group was 44.5 years. A preliminary series of test was performed during hospital stay, consisting of injection of phentolamine and papaverine into corpus cavernosum. This allowed determination of the minimal effective dose for maintaining erection, and 41 patients accepted to continue treatment at home by auto-injection of products. Regular review showed that all had erections, considered to be complete in 95%. The initially determined dose was usually reduced, probably due to sexual stimulation. The erections appeared earlier (8 min) and lasted longer (140 min), ejaculation provoking only minimal detumescence. Patients responding poorly had venous losses. During initial tests, 2 patients had abnormally prolonged erections requiring puncture of corpus cavernosum. Incidents or habit-forming did not develop and patients and partners did not present psychological problems.