Corpora cavernosa as an alternative route for transfusion

Routine intravenous blood transfusion is difficult when the blood pressure falls significantly or veins are inaccessible or are sclerotic due to multiple transfusions. Here, we describe the use of penile corpora cavernosa (CC), as an alternative route for blood transfusion and fluid replacement. The study was conducted in 15 men, 7 with massive burns, 6 with sclerotic veins from repeated injections, and 2 with extensive limb trauma. After the conventional methods of blood and fluid infusions were exhausted, a needle was inserted into CC for blood and fluid administration. During blood or saline infusions, penile shaft became elongated but returned to a normal length after termination of the infusion. There were no difficulties during needle insertion into CC, in varying the different transfusion rates, or in repetition of transfusion during the same or the subsequent days. Complications were rare with the exception of a subcutaneous penile hematoma in 2 patients which disappeared spontaneously. Erection was not disturbed in five patients who were followed for a mean of 10.4+/-1.8 months. These findings show that corpora cavernosa can be used for blood transfusion or for administration of fluids as a simple, easy, rapid, and safe vascular access in conditions in which conventional routes are inaccessible.