Intracavernosal irrigation by cold saline as a simple method of treating iatrogenic prolonged erection

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of aspiration and irrigation of the corpora cavernosa with cold saline as a simple outpatient method for treating prolonged penile erection after intracavernous injection of vasoactive agents.

Aspiration and irrigation was needed in 70 out of 122 cases with iatrogenic priapism in whom cooling of the penis and perineum failed to achieve detumescence. According to the temperature of the saline used, patients were randomized into four different groups: A, B, C, and D with a saline temperature 10, 15, 20, and 37 degrees C, respectively.

We used a significantly larger volume of saline in groups C and D compared to group A. On the other hand there was no significant difference in the volume of saline used between groups A and B. Complete detumescence was achieved in 24/25 (96%) of cases in group A compared to 9/15 (60%) of cases in group D.

We recommend corporal aspiration and irrigation with 10 degrees C saline for patients with prolonged penile erection who failed to respond to the noninvasive measures using ice-cold compresses and physical exercise.