The Acceptance and Satisfaction of Saudi Males to Vasoactive Autoinjection Intracavernous Therapy, External Negative Pressure Device and Penile Prosthesis in the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the acceptance and satisfaction of Saudi impotent male patients to intracavernous vasoactive autoinjection therapy, external negative pressure device and penile prosthesis insertion in the treatment of their impotence. The medical records of 210 Saudi patients who presented with erectile dysfunction and were offered intracavernous vasoactive autoinjection therapy, external negative pressure device or penile prostheses for the treatment of their erectile dysfunction were retrospectively analyzed to determine the acceptance and satisfaction of their selected treatment modalities. Intracavernous vasoactive autoinjection therapy was the most acceptable treatment option, followed by negative pressure device, and then insertion of penile prosthesis. About 11.9% of patients refused all treatment options. Only 40% and 12% of patients who were treated with intracavernous vasoactive autoinjection therapy and external negative pressure device, respectively, were satisfied with their treatment modality. After one year of follow-up, insertion of penile prosthesis had the highest satisfaction rate among the treatment modalities, with 92% and 87% of patients being satisfied at 3 and 12 months' follow-up, respectively. Intracorporeal vasoactive autoinjection therapy had the highest acceptance rate compared with external negative pressure devices and penile prosthesis, however, it had low satisfaction rate and the dropout rate was high. External negative pressure devices are generally poorly accepted and are rarely satisfactory in our patient population. Penile prosthesis insertion is poorly accepted, however, it has the highest satisfaction rate. Such information will allow patients under treatment for impotence and their treating physicians to make better, educated choices on the mode of treatment.