Experience with 105 patients with priapism: update review of all aspects

Abstract

A 26-year experience with all aspects of priapism is reviewed in 105 children and adults. The etiology of the priapism was idiopathic or drug-induced, or owing to sickle cell disease, trauma, neoplasia, leukemia, papaverine-phentolamine injections and total parenteral alimentation. The pathophysiology of prolonged erection is discussed. Treatment is reviewed in respect to initial studies before the type of shunting procedure required is selected. Various shunt techniques are presented with outcome. Complications and their possible causes are discussed, and the importance of medicolegal risk is emphasized. Impotence is a common sequela of priapism.