Effects of acute alcohol on penile tumescence in normal young men and dogs.

To determine the cause of the inhibition of sexual function observed in normal subjects with elevated blood alcohol concentrations (BAC), nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) was monitored in 11 subjects over three consecutive nights. On the third night alcohol was administered (BAC = 0.154 g/100 mL). We observed no effect of alcohol on the size, duration, or number of erections. These results were confirmed in dogs. The latent period, magnitude, and duration of corpus cavernosal pressure changes produced by pelvic nerve stimulation were not affected by mean blood alcohol levels of 0.327 g/100 mL in three dogs. These results suggest that the inhibition of sexual response caused in conscious subjects by the ingestion of alcohol is not due to a suppression of the underlying spinal reflex but may be the result of its effect on perceptual or cognitive sexual mechanisms.

Prostaglandin E1 therapy for impotence, comparison with papaverine.

The efficacy of prostaglandin E1 as a pharmacological treatment of erectile dysfunction (impotence) was compared with the standard treatment, papaverine, in a single blind, crossover trial. A total of 129 impotent men received intracavernous injections of either prostaglandin E1 (5 micrograms) or papaverine (18 mg.) 1 month apart. Observations by 1 observer recorded 10 to 20 minutes after injection demonstrated that prostaglandin E1 generated a better erection in 72 men (55.8%) compared to papaverine. Papaverine was more effective than prostaglandin E1 in 23 men (17.8%, chi-square 6.26, p less than 0.025). Subjective assessment by the patients who detected a difference showed that 71 (55%) preferred prostaglandin E1 and 35 (27%) preferred papaverine (chi-square 11.56, p less than 0.001). A total of 34 men achieved full erections with prostaglandin E1 compared to 17 who used papaverine.

Complications associated with penile implants used to treat impotence.

The complications associated with a variety of penile prostheses used in the treatment of 302 men with erectile dysfunction are described. Infection of the prostheses resulted in their removal from 11 patients (3.6%), antibiotic therapy and replacement in five men. Mechanical failures required reoperation in 43 men (14.2%); however, recent advances in prosthesis design have reduced this type of malfunction. Adverse psychological reactions prompted removal of the prostheses from two men. Despite these complications, this surgery is remarkably effective.

Treatment of impotence by intrapenile injections. A comparison of papaverine versus papaverine and phentolamine: a double-blind, crossover trial.

The efficacy of papaverine, and a combination of papaverine and phentolamine as a pharmacological treatment of impotence was compared in a double-blind, crossover trial. A total of 40 impotent men received intracavernous injections of papaverine (40 mg.) or a combination of papaverine (20 mg.) and phentolamine (0.5 mg.) at monthly intervals. Observations at 20 minutes after injection demonstrated that papaverine caused full erections in 27 per cent of the men and partial erections in 65 per cent. The combined injection resulted in full erections in 48 per cent of the men and 52 per cent had partial erections. The difference was significant (Z equals 2.29, p less than 0.05).

The role of dynamic corpora cavernosography in the management of impotence.

Sixty eight impotent men underwent corpora cavernosography and corpora cavernosal pressure measurements during saline infusion. Nineteen of the men had internal pudendal arteriograms. Correlation between the cavernosograms and saline infusion induced pressure measurements was "good" in 56/66(84%), "approximate" in 5/66(8%) and there was no correlation in 5/66(8%). Two patients were excluded for technical reasons. The spread of results and the good correlation of the two tests speaks for the accuracy of the method. It was of value in diagnosis and will be of paramount importance if veno occlusive surgery becomes a reliable method of treatment.

Treatment of impotence by intrapenile injections of papaverine and phenoxybenzamine: a double blind, controlled trial.

The efficacy of papaverine and phenoxybenzamine as a pharmacological treatment of impotence was compared in a double blind, crossover, placebo controlled trial. Thirty-four impotent men received intra-cavernosal injections of papaverine (60 mg), phenoxybenzamine (6 mg) or normal saline (10 ml) at monthly intervals. Observations by EJK up to 45 minutes after injection demonstrated that papaverine caused full erections in 35% of men and partial erections in 62%. Phenoxybenzamine injection resulted in full erections in 20% of men and 62% had partial erections. The differences were not significant. Despite 82-97% of patients attaining some degree of erection in the clinical setting only six of the patients decided to use this mode of treatment for more than three months. Sexual function during the month after injection was better with either drug when compared with placebo.

Experience in the management of erectile dysfunction using the intracavernosal self-injection of vasoactive drugs.

We report the results of a survey of 75 patients with erectile dysfunction, all of whom were treated by self-injection of the corpora cavernosa with vasoactive agents. At the time of the survey each patient had been self-injecting at home for at least 3 months. Of the patients 62 were followed for 3 to 21 months. Patients used this form of treatment with minimal assistance from our clinic staff. It was acceptable to them with few complications except for prolonged erections in 11 per cent of the men. Fifteen patients (24 per cent) with psychogenic impotence reported spontaneous improvement in erections during treatment and 4 discontinued treatment for this reason. Another 26 patients (42 per cent) continue to use self-injection as the definitive mode of treatment for erectile dysfunction.

Prolonged erections following intracorporeal injection of medications to overcome impotence.

We describe the management of 17 men who developed prolonged erections following the intracorporeal injection of vasoactive drugs (e.g. papaverine) for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Twelve men who had psychogenic impotence developed prolonged erections following injection compared with 5 who had an organic aetiology. The aspiration of 20 to 50 ml of blood from the penis together with the intracorporeal injection of 1 to 2 mg metaraminol is an effective treatment of this complication.

Experience with the Nesbit procedure in the treatment of penile curvature.

Thirteen men who had undergone Nesbit's operation for penile curvature were assessed to determine the efficacy of the procedure. Ten patients had Peyronie's disease and three had a congenital curvature. Follow-up ranged from 8 months to 28 months. The degree of penile curvature was improved in twelve patients at the time of follow-up. The three men with a congenital curvature were all satisfied, whereas only seven of the 10 with Peyronie's disease were satisfied with the results of surgery. Two men believed that the operation had reduced their erectile function and a third man felt that the operation had not improved his penile deformity. Patients with a penile curvature associated with deteriorating erectile function should be counselled that a Nesbit's procedure will not improve their potency and that the insertion of a malleable penile prosthesis may be necessary.

Bladder dysfunction following anterior resection for carcinoma of the rectum.

A retrospective study was made of 190 patients who had anterior resections of the rectum for carcinoma at Concord Hospital between 1971 and 1981. Urinary tract infection occurred in 25 percent of patients. Bladder dysfunction occurred in 22 percent of patients, and was more frequent in those in whom the tumor was less than 10 cm from the anal verge. The patients were compared with 122 patients who had undergone abdominoperineal excisions of the rectum for carcinoma. Although the overall incidence of bladder dysfunction was the same in both groups, there was a significantly higher incidence of permanent bladder dysfunction in patients undergoing abdominoperineal excision (P = 0.00034).

Urological complications following abdominoperineal excision of the rectum for carcinoma.

A retrospective study was made of 122 patients who had an abdominoperineal excision (APE) of the rectum for carcinoma at Concord Hospital between 1971 and 1979. Fifty-two percent of patients suffered one or more significant urological complications. These included urinary tract infection (32%), operative trauma to the urinary tract (8.5%) and temporary or permanent bladder dysfunction in 35% of patients. Acute urinary retention, when temporary, was managed by simple measures. Chronic retention, incontinence and some episodes of acute retention were due to a neurogenic bladder. These patients were difficult to treat. It is recommended that urodynamic studies be used to assess these patients who develop a neurogenic bladder before any treatment is instituted. This is relevant especially in those patients in whom a transurethral resection of either the bladder neck or prostate is contemplated.