The Efficacy of Oral Terbutaline in Cases with Priapism

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of oral terbutaline in the treatment of cases with early and late periods of priapism. Results belonging to 73 patients between the age of 28 and 56 (mean age 38.4), with priapism secondary by intracavernous injection of vasoactive agents, were evaluated retrospectively. Patients were divided into three groups as: applicants in the first 8 h (Group 1, n=25), applicants between 8 and 16 h (Group 2, n=29), and applicants later than 16 h (Group 3, n=19). Ten miligrams of terbutaline was given orally to all patients and the outcomes were evaluated following a 1-h waiting period. After the oral administration of terbutaline, penile detumescence were obtained 14 (56%), 10 (34.4%), and 1 (5.2%) patients in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The differences between the groups were found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). Oral administration of terbutaline to patients with priapism is a simple and noninvasive method; satisfactory success results were obtained especially when applied during the first 8 h.