Penile revascularization in nonresponders to intracavernous injections using a modified microsurgical technique

At certain centers, microsurgical penile revascularization, using different surgical techniques, has gained importance throughout the past years. In general, only patients classified as intracavernous injection nonresponders are subjected to this kind of surgery. Since 1988, revascularization surgery has been performed at our clinic on 19 intracavernous injection nonresponders. The Hauri technique was carried out on the first 6 patients. The last 10 patients underwent modified anastomosis surgery. The inferior epigastric artery and the dorsal penile artery are anastomosed, one behind the other, end-to-side, to the dorsal penile vein. This results in a more simple procedure with assurance of flow. The Virag technique was performed on 3 patients. 18 patients achieved erections with or without the aid of intracavernous injections (at a mean follow-up of 13.4 months). 11 patients were capable of spontaneous erections, whereby it was particularly noted that 8 of the 10 patients undergoing the modified technique achieved spontaneous erections. The results demonstrate that intracavernous injection nonresponders benefit from revascularization surgery.