BACKGROUND:

Priapism is an uncommon alteration that mainly affects the corpora cavernosa, resulting in a persistently erect penis with or without sexual stimulation, lasting for 6 hours or more.

OBJECTIVE:

To estimate the prevalence of comorbidities, treatment, complications, and results associated with patients with priapism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A retrospective study employing case record information on patients diagnosed with priapism was conducted. Comorbidities, treatment, complications and results associated with the disease were evaluated. Diagnosis was clinical and confirmed through blood gasometry of the corpora cavernosa. Treatment followed the American Urological Association and the European Association of Urology guidelines. The decision of which type of corporo-spongiosal shunt to use was based on the treating surgeon’s criterion. Early complications were described according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. Erectile function recovery was evaluated through a telephone interview.

RESULTS:

Fourteen patients were enrolled in the study (13 with lowflow priapism confirmed through gasometry [pH < 7.23] and 1 with high-flow priapism). The most frequently associated comorbidity was mental illness, which included substance abuse. Cavernositis was the most common acute complication and erectile dysfunction was the most common chronic complication. Of the patients with ischemic priapism, only 1 was cured with conservative treatment (NSAID) and the remaining 12 with intracavernous irrigation.

CONCLUSIONS:

Psychiatric illnesses were highly prevalent in the patients with priapism and the erectile dysfunction rate was higher than that reported in other case series. Our study results can improve knowledge of priapism in the Mexican population.

        · resumen en Español     · texto en Español     · Español ( pdf )