The intracavernous application of alpha-adrenergic drugs in the treatment of priapism

Abstract

The possibilities and limitations of using an alpha-adrenergic injection for treating priapism or prolonged erection are discussed. In 8 of 10 cases presented, the priapism or prolonged erection was induced by application of papaverine or a papaverine phentolamine mixture. In the one case in which priapism was caused by infiltration of a tumor, intracavernous injection was not chosen as the primary mode of treatment. The priapisms or prolonged erections which were induced by application of vasodilator drugs in the cavernous bodies were treated by metaraminol injections. No side effects involving the patients' circulatory system appeared, but 3 patients developed a penile hematoma. This method also proved ineffective in the treatment of a priapism found in conjunction with Fabry's disease. In this case there was clear evidence of severe ischemic damage to the tissue of the cavernous bodies following extended duration of priapism. Treatment was carried out under strict supervision of the patient's circulatory system, during which no side effects were observed.