Abstract

Although there are noninvasive options in the treatment of erectile dysfunction, intracavernosal injection therapy protects its place in approppriate cases.

The patients whom injection therapy was instituted with papaverine (Pap), Pap+phentolamine (Phe) or Pap + Phe + Prostaglandin E1 (PgE1) were evaluated by direct contact or phone call. The efficiency, the reasons for discontinuation and complications were evaluated.

Intracavernosal injection therapy has been started in 75 patients. We could not reach 15 patients. Four patients had never started therapy. Three patients had started the therapy but were lost to follow up. Twenty-three of 53 patients (41.1%) were still continuing injection for 18.4±13.0 months (1-40 months). The drop out reasons of 30 patients; not efficient (n: 9), partial or complete recovery (n: 9), selecting another treatment options (n: 4), development of significant penile curvature (n: 1) and other factors (n: 7). In the last visit, 7 of 31 patients (22.6%) had fibrosis of tunica albuginea at the sites of injection and one of them could not success coitus because of severe penile curvature.

Intracavernosal injection therapy is a suitable option with moderate morbidity. Close follow up might increase patient compliance.